Turkey's operation in Syria's Afrin not limited in time, to continue until terrorist threat is eliminated - Turkish ambassador
MOSCOW. March 9 (Interfax) - Turkey intends to continue its operation in Syria's Afrin until the terrorist threat is fully eradicated there, Turkish Ambassador to Russia Huseyin Dirioz told Interfax, adding that this operation is not limited by any timeframe.
"Operation Olive Branch in Africa complies with international law norms, in particular UN Charter Article 51, which provides for the right of any state to engage in self-defense, and also abides by UN Security Council resolutions on the fight against terrorism," the ambassador said.
"Operation Olive Branch is not limited by any timeframe and will continue until the terrorist threat is eliminated in Afrin," he said.
The military operation in Syria's Afrin is "following a step-by-step pattern in order to avoid casualties among the civilian population," he said.
The operation "is being conducted very carefully," the ambassador said.