By Alp Ertunga Karaca

ANKARA

The Turkish military has dismissed claims civilians were affected during its ongoing military operation in northern Syria.

"The allegations that civilians were affected during the ongoing Operation Euphrates Shield do not reflect the facts on the ground and are ill-intended," the General Staff said in a statement Sunday that did not specify the source of the allegations.

"To not harm the civilians is one of the basic principles of the Turkish Armed Forces,” it added.

The operation began in late August to improve security, support coalition forces, and eliminate the terror threat along Turkey's border with Syria with the help of opposition fighters backed by Turkish artillery and jets.