Turkmen leaders hail expected Afrin operation

Syrian Turkmen leaders have hailed Turkey's expected operation in northwestern Afrin district of Syria.

"As Syrians, we support the possible Turkey Afrin operation against the PYD/PKK targets in Syria," Omer Dede, the vice-president of the Syrian Arab and Turkmen Tribes Association, told Anadolu Agency.

"After clearing Afrin, we expect Turkey to root out the terror elements in Manbij, Tal Abyad and Rasulayn districts," Dede said.

Emin Bozoglan, head of the Syrian Turkmen Assembly, also appreciated the expected operation. "We were informed that the terror group PYD/PKK will transfer its arms to Raqqa, where they used to work with regime forces for years."

Bozoglan said Turkey should "definitely" take necessary measures in this regard.

Turkey has a right to clear terrorist elements from Afrin to protect its national security, he said, adding that this this would also help Turkmen, Arabs and Kurds live in more secured and peaceful environment.

Turkey is mulling over a possible operation in the Syrian district to prevent a "terror corridor" from forming along its border.

Afrin -- a region bordering Turkey's southern Hatay and Kilis provinces -has been controlled by the PYD/PKK terrorist group since 2012, when Syrian regime forces withdrew from the area.