ANKARA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Turkey is gearing up for new military operations following the end of Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.
"The first phase of the Operation Euphrates Shield ended after Syria's al-Bab was cleared of terrorists. Now we are preparing for new operations against terrorist groups in other regions," Erdogan said during a rally held as part of an opening ceremony of multiple projects in the northeastern province of Trabzon.
Late Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced that Operation Euphrates Shield has come to end.
"The new operations will have different names. We have new surprises for all terror groups," Erdogan said.
"With God's will, the following months will be the spring of Turkey and Turkish people, and the deadly winter of terrorists," he added.
The Operation Euphrates Shield was launched by Ankara in north of Syria with the support of Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army forces on Aug. 24, 2016, aiming at clearing its border with Syria of terrorists.
Thousands of militants were killed in the operation, according to official numbers, while more than 70 Turkish soldiers were also killed.
