DEAR OUR DISTINGUISHED COUNTERPART,
On behalf of Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey, this letter addresses to your kind attention about the explanation of Turkey's most recent peace operation in Northern Syria.
Turkey is firmly committed to fighting against terrorism originating from Syria. We are a committed member of the Global Coalition against DEASH and Turkey is the only country to put a chest-to-chest combat against DEASH with boots on the ground. Turkey has already conducted two major counter-terrorism operations (Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch) in northwest Syria. Threat of terrorism originating from Syria and targeting our borders is not limited to DEASH. During the last two years, especially from the east of River Euphrates, we have been exposed to more than hundred cases of attacks or hostile acts by PYD/YPG, the Syrian offshoot of PKK which is designated as a terrorist organization by the EU and NATO. PYD/YPG has perpetrated terrorist attacks also within Syria and against Syrians and Northwest Syria is a particular case in point. More than 200 cases of attacks and killing or wounding of scores of civilians took place while PYD/YPG-affiliated elements assumed responsibility in these cases without hesitation. Turkey's expectations and sensitivities regarding the PYD/YPG threat were repeatedly shared with our Allies. It is obvious that, Turkey could no longer tolerate the presence of terrorists at our borders. Turkey is compelled to take our destiny into our hands. That is why "Operation Peace Spring"is launched.
The main objectives of this operation will be to ensure Turkey's border security, neutralize terrorists in the region and save Syrians from the oppression and cruelty of these terrorists. The operation will be carried out on the basis of international law, in accordance with the right of self-defense as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter and the relevant Security Council resolutions. Turkey notified UN Secretary General, President of the UN Security Council and NATO Secretary General of the start of this operation and intends to continue the operation until all terrorists have been wiped out of the region, our border security has been ensured, and local Syrians have been liberated from the tyranny of PYD/YPG as well as the DEASH threat. The operation also aims to facilitate safe and voluntary returns of displaced Syrians since Turkey has no plans whatsoever to modify the demographic structure in the operation area. It is the other way around the operation will give a chance to at least one million displaced Syrians, including Kurds, Arabs, and Christians alike, to return to their ancestors' lands after having been subject to ethnic cleansing by PYD/YPG.
Turkey's counter-terrorism efforts in Syria will contribute to the territorial integrity and unity of Syria by disrupting separatist agendas. The issue of foreign terrorist fighters can be effectively dealt with only by collective action by the international community. Protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure is our top priority and since the beginning, Turkey has always been at the forefront of the efforts to combat DEASH and all other radical actors.
As a final conclusion, on behalf of Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey, we would like to have your kind attention towards the manipulated disinformation regarding the current operation on the ground causes only the escalation of polarization and radicalization of all actors in Syria. When you follow the current situation from different communication channels, we kindly request you to consider official statements from the Turkish government. Turkey is going to make sure that the current operation will have no harmful impact on Turkey's rebalancing process of its economy and its economic development. We also believe that this operation will bring peace, stability and prosperity to the region and to all over the world.
Kind regards,
Nail OLPAK
President
