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11:09 27.02.2017(updated 13:01 27.02.2017) Get short URL

AP Photo/ Hassan Ammar

The operation has been criticized byDamascus who has accused Ankara ofviolating Syria's territorial integrity.

"[Russian President Vladimir Putin] is providing large support to Turkey. We are very grateful tohim forhis position onSyria. The Turkish Army carried outa very successful operation inal-Bab. Today al-Babis controlled bythe Turkish Armed Forces al-Bab is a town that is very important tous strategically I think we would not have been able toconduct a successful operation inal-Bab withoutRussian support and we are very grateful toPutin and Russia Armed Forces forthe cooperation onthat issue," Cevik said.

AFP 2016/ FAYEZ NURELDINE

On Friday, Chief ofthe Turkish General Staff Hulusi Akar said that al-Babwas undercontrol and the goals ofthe Euphrates Shield operation inSyria had been achieved.

Turkey plans toend its operation inSyria aftercapturing the northern city ofManbij fromKurdish militants, Cevik added.

Speaking ata conference onRussian-Turkish relations, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's aide pointed outthat around85 percent ofManbij and its outskirts is controlled bythe Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), viewed byAnkara asa terrorist organizations.

"Turkey will do everything right now torestore the Arab population inManbij, clear it ofKurdish militants. Turkey will stop its operations inSyria afterManbij is taken," Cevik said.

Speaking ata conference onRussian-Turkish relations, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's aide pointed outthat around85 percent ofManbij and its outskirts is controlled bythe Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), viewed byAnkara asa terrorist organization.

According toCevik, the Turkish Armed Forces have moved 90 kilometers, or about56 miles, intothe center ofSyria.

On Friday, Chief ofthe Turkish General Staff Hulusi Akar said that the Syrian town ofal-Bab was undercontrol.

The Euphrates Shield operation byTurkey and Syrian opposition began onAugust 24, 2016. The city ofJarabulus innorthern Syria was taken beforethe offensive onAl Bab began. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the aim ofthe operation was toclear the region ofterrorists and make it a safety zone forrefugees.

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Turkey Grateful to Russia for Support in Al-Bab Operation - Erdogan's Aide - Sputnik International