"Turkey is not going to withdraw its troops from Syria" - Turkish Defense Ministry

Turkey is not planning to withdraw its more than 20,000-strong military contingent from northern Syria.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler announced this in Brussels during a meeting of NATO defense ministers.

Guler also noted that Turkey is training the Syrian armed forces and helping to strengthen Syria's defenses.

He added that Turkey would be ready to review its military presence in Syria when the threat of terrorism is completely eliminated, the state border is secured and refugees return to their homes.