Culture and Art>> Turkey>> Photo>> New project to promote Turkish Istanbul, Turkey a safe haven for Famous ‘Gipsy Girl’ attracts more folk music in Japan Arab journalists visitors to Zeugma Mosaic Museum YEARS WEATHER / ANKARA Saturday, January 20, 2018 Saturday Sunny 3°C Defense Min: Afrin Russia begins Afrin operation is coming ANKARA - Turkey’s defense minister on Friday confirmed that a military operation will go forward in Syria’s troop withdrawal northern border region of Afrin to “remove the terrorist presence” there. Move comes ahead of Turkey’s expected military operation in city Speaking on news channel A Haber, Nurettin Canikli said ANKARA - Russia on Friday started held by the Assad regime. some 8,000-10,000 terrorists in the area, of the upcoming operation: withdrawing its military assets ahead of An operation in Afrin -- a region according to information gathered by “It will happen.” But as Turkey’s expected operation in Syria’s bordering Turkey’s Hatay and Kilis Anadolu Agency. Turkish forces and equipment northwestern city of Afrin. provinces -- is widely expected in the After Turkey warned of their presence amass at the border, he gave The Russian security forces deployed in wake of Turkey’s successful seven- in Afrin, terrorists are now hiding out no specifics on timing, saying the U.S. discouraging the northeast Kafr Jana region of Afrin city month Operation Euphrates Shield in in shelters and pits in residential areas this was part of the planning. operation. started leaving the area, according to northern Syria, which ended in March there. “All terrorist lines in northern Addressing Thursday reliable sources in Afrin. 2017. The PYD/PKK is the Syrian offshoot of Syria will be eradicated. remarks by State Department Some of the Russian security assets have The Bashar al-Assad regime handed the PKK terrorist group, which has been There is no other way,” he spokeswoman Heather reached Nubl and Zahra towns, on the over Afrin to the PYD/PKK without designated a terrorist organization by added. Nauert saying the U.S. wants outskirts of Afrin, which were currently putting up a fight, and there are currently Turkey, the U.S. and the EU. MORE DETAILS He also dismissed a call from Turkey to abstain... MORE DETAILS No threats to Turkey will be tolerated By Ali Kemal Akan, Cansu Dikme Management Agency (AFAD) in capital Ankara. ANKARA - Prime Minister He added that Turkey’s aim Binali Yildirim said on Friday is to eradicate terror in the Turkey would not tolerate any region, referring to Syria. threats to its national security. Turkey is mulling over a “Any formation that threatens possible operation in Afrin, the national security of a besieged city in northern Turkey will never be Syria, to prevent a “terror tolerated. This is our natural corridor” from forming along right. It is a right as part of its border. international law and Turkish Last week, Turkish security Anadolu Agency Photo Anadolu Agency law as well,” Yildirim said forces hit several PYD/PKK during a speech at a vehicle targets in Afrin. delivery ceremony at the An Afrin operation will Iraq: 40 pct of those fled Disaster and Emergency follow Turkey’s... MORE DETAILS Daesh have returned By Sarhad Shakir over the past three years, some 5.7 million Iraqis NINEVEH - More than 40 were forced to flee their percent of Iraqis displaced homes -- in seven out of during Daesh’s three-year Iraq’s 19 provinces -- after reign of terror (2014-2017) the notorious terrorist group have now returned to their overran much of the country. homes, Iraq’s Displacement Recent figures compiled and Migration Ministry said by Iraqi security agencies Friday. suggest that, of these, roughly According to ministry figures, 2.4 million... MORE DETAILS Turkmenistan declares 2018 as Silk Road year By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet trade route which connected Europe with Asia -- and the ANKARA - Turkmenistan establishment of an extensive has declared 2018 as the Silk transport infrastructure was Road year and is seeking crucial in its development. to establish an extensive “The key point in transport infrastructure, Turkmenistan’s development according to Turkmenistan’s policy in the transportation ambassador to Turkey. sector is establishing Speaking at a news architectural bases of new conference in capital Ankara, geo-economic space which Photo Anadolu Agency Isankuli Amanliyev said will connect Central Asia, 2018 has been declared Caspian Sea, Black Sea, the “Turkmenistan – the Heart Baltics, Middle and Near of the Great Silk Road” East, South and Southeast Dust clouds in SE Turkey hamper daily life year by the country’s Asia,” he said. president Gurbanguli He added that long-term DIYARBAKIR - Strong winds carrying conditions and heavy dust reduced engulfed the area into darkness, even Berdimuhamedov. national programs are being dust from Syria and Iraq have hampered visibility and air quality in southeastern during the day. The weather is expected Amanliyev said Turkmenistan applied in the country, which daily life in southeastern Turkey. provinces Diyarbakir, Sirnak, Mardin, to continue into the evening. was an important junction in aim to expand the current According to Turkey’s regional Sanliurfa and Batman. In Mardin province, which remained the the Silk Road -- an ancient transportation... MORE DETAILS meteorological authorities, windy Dust clouds accompanied by muddy rain most affected, the disabled... MORE DETAILS.