Erdoğan Says They Could Send 3.6 Million Refugees to Europe

TSK unites crossed the border into Syria's Tal Abyad throughout the night. (Photos: AA)

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Turkey's military offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria continues on the second day. Here are the latest developments on the operation:

Turkey-backed group enters east of the Euphrates

Along with the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) the Syrian National Army (SNA), an armed group supported by Turkey, has also entered the areas in the east of the River Euphrates on the second day of the offensive, the state-run AA reported.

Ministry of Defense: 181 targets have been hit

The Ministry of National Defense said that the operation continued throughout the night and that 181 targets have been hit so far. "Identified targets are captured," it said.

VP: Operation is continuing as planned

"Our army continues its fight against terrorists, while its main priority is to protect civilians from harm," Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Twitter, adding that the operation is continuing as planned.

"Turkey, acting within the framework of its rights arising from international law and the 'right of self-defense' set out in the UN Charter, is determined to drain the swamp of terror that threatens our borders and poses a threat to the whole world.

"It is our greatest expectation that the world public opinion will have the same determination in the fight against terrorist organizations," Oktay said.

Erdoğan: If EU calls it an invasion, we will send 3.6 million refugees

President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey could send millions of refugees to Europe.

"Hey EU, pull yourselves together. If you call our operation an 'invasion', then it is easy for us; we open the gates and send 3.6 million refugees to Europe," he said at a meeting of his party's provincial chairpeople in the capital Ankara.

He further said that Turkey has spent 40 billion dollars for Syrian refugees and does not need money from Europe.

Erdoğan also said that 109 SDF fighters have been killed in the operation so far. 

Prosecutor's Office: Legal action taken against social media users

İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that legal action has been taken against social media users who publish content that "targets Turkey's social peace, internal peace, unity and security."

The General Directorate of Security announced earlier in the day that it has taken legal action against 78 people for social media posts.

Two journalists have been taken into custody since the beginning of the operation yesterday.

(DB/VK)