Turkish soldiers in the border area between Syria and Turkey on October 8, 2017. (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

Speaking at a meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Sunday, Erdogan emphasized that developments in Syria and Iraq are directly related to Turkey's national security and that Turkey would not allow a terror corridor to be established along its border. He said that Turkey is carrying out a strategy to eliminate security threats and the Euphrates Shield Operation is the first step. A second operation is underway in Idlib province and Syria and Turkey will cooperate with the Free Syrian Army within Idlib and with Russia outside the bounds of the province, he added.