ANKARA
Turkish soldiers in northern Syria hailed the Turkish nation and national players who performed military salutes at sport events, in honor of Turkey’s anti-terror operation in Syria launched last week.
“We received the salutes of our national players and teams who became champions. Don’t worry, we are on duty for our country and nation,” Turkish soldiers said in a video posted by the Turkish National Defense Ministry on Twitter Wednesday with the hashtag “Salute Turkish soldiers” (#MehmetciğeSelamGönder).
Turkish National Football Team players celebrated a goal by military salute during the UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifiers against Albania in Istanbul, as well as during their match against France in Saint-Denis.
During the matches, Turkish players celebrated their goals by a soldier’s salute, dedicating their goal to Turkish soldiers currently fighting in northern Syria in the ongoing Operation Peace Spring.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, launched an investigation on Tuesday against Turkey for the act.
The organization initiated “disciplinary investigations” regarding the matches, appointing an inspector with regard to “potential provocative political behaviour,” it said in a statement.
Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to secure its borders by eliminating terrorist groups there, to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees and Syria’s territorial integrity.
Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union — has been responsible for deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.
