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ANKARA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed on Thursday his country's determination in military operations carried out in Syria and Iraq.
"Turkey has abandoned defense and is now in attack mode," Erdogan made the remarks at the presidential palace in Ankara, Hurriyet News reported.
"We will carry out offensive against terrorist organizations in Syria within this perspective. In Iraq too, we will follow a similar approach," he said.
"If my citizens are constantly threatened by those regions, it is our duty to protect them. The state is here for this reason," he added.
Erdogan also accused other countries of directly and indirectly supporting IS and YPG, noting that this is why Turkey's military offensive in Al-Bab has prolonged.
