Turkish military convoy in Idlib province, Syria. Archival photoMOSCOW, 1 Jun. The Turkish army will conduct a new cross-border operation against members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the People's Self-Defense Forces (SNS) in Syria's Manbij and Tall Rifat, Anadolu reports, citing a statement by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. «A new phase begins formation (in Syria) of a «security zone» 30 kilometers deep from the Turkish border,» the head of state said. According to him, following Tall Rifat and Manbij, Turkish troops will carry out similar operations in other border regions of Syria. Erdogan called Turkey's actions legitimate steps in the field of security. Erdogan announced anti-terrorist operations in northern Syria last week. The decision of the Turkish president caused discontent in the West and in Damascus. In Ankara, this step was explained by the need to ensure their own security and return the Syrian refugees to their homeland.
