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Turkey's PM: Euphrates Shield operation to continue until terrorists neutralized

ANKARA, Aug 31 (KUNA) -- Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildrim said on Wednesday that operation "Euphrates Shield" would continue "until terror elements are completely neutralized and threats to our border, soil and citizens are over." In a speech, during the opening of a Metro line in Ankara, Turkish premier said his country will not accept any violation or aggression on its territories or borders, and cited the recent killing of 21 Turkish citizens by rockets fired by so-Called Islamic State (ISIL) on Turkish borders.
The Turkish premier asserted his country's firm stand against terrorist organizations and reminded the US of its pledge to force the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and the Syrian-Kurdish Democratic Party to retreat to east of the Euphrates.
Meanwhile, Turkish Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said a truce was "out of the question," a reference to talks on a ceasefire agreement with the Syrian-Kurdish Democratic Party.
"They will remain our target unless they retreat east of the Euphrates," Kalin said, repeating Turkey's demand that YPG retreat to the northeast.
On another front, Turkish news agency (Anadolu) quoted Turkish diplomatic sources as saying the Turkish military operation against IS was successful. (end) rs.mb