Al-Bab is a matter of national security for Turkey: Deputy PM

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş spoke at a news conference in Ankara about a contentious Daesh video and the Euphrates Shield operation in Al-Bab. Kurtulmuş also discussed Turkey's constitutional commission.

Kurtulmuş spoke about a Daesh video that allegedly showed two kidnapped Turkish soldiers being burned to death, saying that Turkey had no confirmed information about the video.

“The Turkish Armed Forces and the Ministry of National Defense have no confirmed information about the video. The aim of such images is to scare the public," said Kurtulmuş.

The Deputy Prime Minister also criticized those who were sharing the footage via social media, saying, “Social media is not a platform to make irresponsible broadcasts. Turkey is at war with Daesh."

“Meetings about clearing Manbij from PYD occupation are underway. By the will of God, the necessary results to progress to the east of the Euphrates [river] will be obtained," explained Kurtulmuş.

Turkey has been leading the Euphrates Shield operation with the Free Syrian Army in Al-Bab since late August.

“The promises made at the beginning of the Jarablus operation, the Al-Bab operation and the Manbij operation will be kept. This is a matter of national security for Turkey," the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed.

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The Deputy Prime Minister announced that a referendum would be held in relation to the proposed constitutional changes.

“Constitutional talks will be completed and a referendum will be held. This constitutional amendment is designed to ensure effective administration. There is no power other than the people," said Kurtulmuş.

Kurtulmuş declared that the government had made no decision regarding the extension of the state of emergency that expires on January 20.

The state of emergency was declared following the failed coup on July 15.