Erdogan vows to continue Turkey's fight against terror

ANKARA, TURKEY - APRIL 24: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the parliamentary group meeting of Justice and Development (AK) Party at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) in Ankara, Turkey on April 24, 2018 President Erdogan has said Turkey's fight against terrorism would continue in eastern Turkey as well as the Qandil mountain in northern Iraq and northern Syria. Erdogan highlighted Turkey's determination in its fight against the PKK terror group. "We will not get out from [southeastern mountains of] Cudi, Gabar, Bestler-Dereler, Tendurek, and Qandil," said Erdogan. "We will continue to do what is necessary for our nation's tranquility. We will also do what is necessary in the northern part of Syria." Airstrikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq, where the terror group has its main base in the Mt. Qandil region, near the Iranian border, have been carried out regularly since July 2015, when the PKK resumed its armed campaign. Erdogan also said that 4,272 terrorists have been neutralized in Syria's Afrin region, 258 in Turkey, 353 in northern Iraq since the begin of Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20. Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch on Jan. 20 to clear YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorist groups from Afrin in northwestern Syria amid growing threats from the region. Erdogan also defended Turkey's ongoing state of emergency that was extended on Wednesday for the seventh time. "In this process, there is an environment of tranquility. They are demanding the state of emergency to be lifted in such environment," he said. "Why? Because their game will be spoiled; for this reason, we will not let you subvert the order." Turkey declared a state of emergency for the first time on July 20, 2016, following the defeated coup by Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO). (Footage by Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)