Turkish troops, Syrian National Army begin Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria

Turkey and the Syrian National Army have launched their much-awaited operation against Daesh and the People's Protection Units (YPG) terror groups in northern Syria, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced Wednesday.

"Our aim is to destroy the terror corridor, which is trying to be established on our southern border, and bring peace to the region," Erdoğan wrote on Twitter.

The operation, dubbed "Peace Spring," will eliminate the terrorist threat to Turkey and ensure Syrian refugees' return to their country thanks to a safe zone in the area, he said.

"We will protect the territorial integrity of Syria, and free the people of the region from the clutches of terror," the president added.

Most of northeastern Syria is controlled by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is dominated by the YPG terrorists. The YPG is the armed wing of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the PKK terror group's Syrian affiliate.

The PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years, resulting in the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

Turkey has long decried the threat from terrorists east of the Euphrates in northern Syria, pledging military action to prevent the formation of a "terrorist corridor" there

President Erdogan: 

'Turkish troops, Syrian National Army begin Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria against PKK/YPG, Daesh terrorists'

'Turkey's aim is to eliminate terror corridor in southern border, to bring peace and tranquility to region'