"Since January 1 and until now, 953 terrorists have been neutralized in northern Iraq and Syria as a whole. The most significant issue is the elimination of all terrorists. Operations will continue until the last terrorist is neutralized," Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar said, Report informs.
"We respect the borders and sovereignty of all our neighbors, led by the friendly and fraternal Iraq. Let no one question this. Our only goal is the fight against terrorism and terror. Everyone should know that we are in northern Iraq because of terrorists, who created a stronghold there because of the territorial conditions of this country. We will continue to do whatever is necessary to end the terror that made a nest in northern Iraq and threatened the lives of 40,000 citizens for 40 years. We have no other purposes either in Iraq or in northern Syria," the minister said.