* Photographs shared by Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar / AA
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President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a statement at the Turkish Defense Industry Summit in the capital city of Ankara on December 12 and signalled a possible operation into the east of Euphrates in following words:
"Our target is the members of terrorist organization operating in the region. Just like other parts of Syria, which we have made secure, we will also work to make the east of Euphrates secure for its real owners.
"We said and still say that we will begin our operation to save the east of Euphrates from the separatist terrorist organization in a few days."
Ahead of a possible military operation to be launched into the east of Euphrates, an airstrike was launhced against Sinjar and Karajak mountains by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) yesterday (December 13).
In a statement released by the TAF, the airstrike against Karajak mountains, which are 180 kilometers away from Turkey, was defined as "the airstrike which the TAF has conducted against the most distant region."
It was also indicated in the statement that "30 targets were shot."
Pentagon said "Unacceptable"
On December 12, US Department of Defense Spokesperson Sean Robertson made a statement and said that any unilateral action into northeast Syria was of grave concern and "unacceptable."
Sean Robertson stated, "Unilateral military action into northeast Syria by any party, particularly as U.S. personnel may be present or in the vicinity, is of grave concern. We would find any such actions unacceptable."
Erdoğan: We will destroy
Making a statement about the airstrike conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces, President Erdoğan said, "As of last evening, we conducted our operations against Iraq" and added:
"And we conducted our operation against the steps taken in Sinjar and Karajak Mountains, which are constantly threatening our borders.
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"Did we stop? No, these operations are sure to continue. Because if these regions pose a threat to us, which they indeed do, the response to these threats will be immediately given. Either they will destroy these terrorist organizations; if not, we will destroy them." (PT/SD)
