'Turkey's Syria operation is clearing away terrorists'

Turkey’s anti-terror operation in northern Syria continues to accomplish its goal of clearing the region of terrorists, said a senior Turkish official on Tuesday.

"Operation Peace Spring continues in line with its purpose. I think the operation will be completed in a short time in accordance with its objectives," said Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, after meeting with Russian Federation Council Chair Valentina Matviyenko.

"Turkey defends Syria's territorial integrity and is making efforts for it," he added.

Asked by Russian journalists if U.S. sanctions would deter the operation, Sentop said they would not.

"This operation has a purpose and will continue in line with this aim. We have been taking our actions and considering these possibilities. Sanctions will [only] strengthen our country," said Sentop.

Matviyenko, for her part, said that Russia supports Turkey's fight against terrorism.

"Nobody can say that Turkey is not fighting terrorism,” she said.

“Those who come from thousands of kilometers away cannot know the dynamics of the region," she added.

She also criticized a French proposal at the current 141st Assembly of Inter-parliamentary Union in Belgrade to demand an end to the operation.

Sentop is also attending the assembly.