'Turkey to never allow terror corridor in south border'

ANKARA

Turkey will never allow a terror corridor in its southern border, fighting against terrorism will continue with determination, National Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"It has been reported by the Russian Federation that YPG has been taken out 30 kilometers away beginning from the Turkey-Syria border as well as out of Manbij and Tal Rifat with their heavy weapons at the end of 150-hour period," the ministry said in a statement.

Touching on the planned joint patrols between Turkey and Russia, the ministry said that they would be conducted in the west and east of the borders of current Operation Peace Spring at a depth of 10 kilometers, except for the city of Qamishli.

"Turkey will never allow the formation of a terror corridor in the south of its borders, and our fight against the terrorist organizations, particularly DAESH and PKK/YPG, will continue with determination," it added.

The statement also mentioned that establishing a peace corridor will ensure voluntary and safe return for Syrian refugees to their homes.

On Oct. 9, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

On Oct. 22, Erdogan and Putin held a meeting in Russia's Black Sea resort town of Sochi.

Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists will pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Turkey’s border with northern Syria within 150 hours, and security forces from Turkey and Russia will conduct joint patrols there.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.