Erdogan also told journalists that it was not a problem for Turkey if Syrian government forces, backed by Russia, were to enter areas cleared of the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, adding that Ankara had no intention to stay in areas under its control in northern Syria.
He also said he had informed U.S. President Donald Trump about the offensive in a phone call on Oct. 6, three days before the operation started. He added that "what is necessary will be done when the time is right" about a letter from Trump in which he told Erdogan to not be a "fool" and "tough guy."