Turkey says will clear Syria's Tal Rifaat of terrorists

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA (AA) - Tal Rifaat city in Syria will be cleared of terrorist groups YPG/PYD, just like Afrin, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Thursday.

Speaking to a local news channel Haberturk, Bozdag said: "Just as YPG/PYD terror organizations were cleared of Afrin, now Tal Rifaat will be cleared," referring to Syrian affiliate of PKK terror organization.

Turkey on Jan. 20 launched Operation Olive Branch to clear terrorist groups from Afrin, northwestern Syria, near Turkey's border, amid growing threats from the region.

On Mar. 18, the 58th day of the operation, Turkish troops and the Free Syrian Army members announced that the city had been liberated.

On the extension of state of emergency in Turkey, Bozdag said it is “clearly needed”.

“It will be extended if parliament approves,” he added.

Speaking about the arrests of July 2016 defeated coup plotters, the deputy premier said: “To date Turkish intelligence agency MIT brought 80 FETO suspects to Turkey from 18 countries.”

Responding to the early election rumors, Bozdag said the elections will be held as scheduled in March and November 2019.