Turkish Syria offensive to not stop until threats removed: PM

[August 31, 2016]    ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey will press on with its offensive in northern Syria until all threats are removed and the nation's national security is guaranteed, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Wednesday.

Turkish armoured personnel carriers drive towards the border in Karkamis on the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern Gaziantep province, Turkey, August 27, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Turkey launched an incursion into Syria a week ago, saying it aimed to drive away Islamic State and prevent Kurdish militias seizing more territory near the Turkish border. Clashes with Kurdish-aligned militias that have U.S. backing have raised tensions with NATO ally Washington.

(Reporting by Asli Kandemir and Nick Tattersall; Writing by Edmund Blair; Editing by Nick Tattersall)

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