ANKARA, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signalled Friday a fresh military operation across the border into northern Syria, aiming to completely clear east of the Euphrates River of Syrian Kurdish militia.

Speaking at a military ceremony in central Isparta province, Erdogan said: "We will root out the terror nests in the east of Euphrates River in Syria soon."

Erdogan's statement came a couple of days after he threatened on Oct. 1 to expand Turkey's military operations into areas east of the Euphrates River held by the U.S.-backed the People's Protection Units (YPG).

Ankara regards the YPG as Syrian affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) designated to be a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and EU.

Turkey considers the YPG's presence on its border with Syria a grave threat against its national security.