Before its operation in northwestern Syria that killed Baghdadi, the U.S. acted within the spirit of Alliance and strategic partnership in the fight primarily against the Daesh and PKK/YPG groups, Turkey's National Defense Ministry said.

Noting that U.S. and Turkish military officials coordinated and exchanged information before the operation on Saturday, the ministry stated in a statement that Ankara warned its forces and took timely measures to ensure operational and personnel security, on the basis of interoperability and prevention of mutual interference with U.S. elements.

Trump thanked Turkey, Russia, Syria and Iraq for their cooperation in the operation. (ILKHA)