Pause in Turkey’s anti-terror operation in northern Syria is not a ceasefire, said the Turkish defense minister on Monday.

Axar.az reports citing Anadolu Agency.

"Turkey reserves its right to self-defense against any hostile act and attack," Hulusi Akar told reporters in the capital Ankara.

"40 harassments/assaults have been carried out against our forces since 10 p.m [1900GMT] on Oct.17. One of our soldiers was martyred and seven of them were wounded," Akar said adding the 120-hour pause will end on Tuesday night.

Turkey is working to ensure that the establishment of the safe zone is successful, with respect to the territorial integrity of Syria, Akar said.

"We are committed to fight against Daesh. We are also closely following the completion of the removal of the YPG/PKK from the safe zone, the collection of heavy weapons and the destruction of the fortifications within 120 hours," he added.

"The planned safe zone, as stated by President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, will be 32 kilometers [20 miles] deep and 444 kilometers [276 miles] wide from the east of the Euphrates to the border with Iraq. We are discussing some of this with the U.S. and some with Russia," Akar stated.

Akar also reiterated that the target of the Operation Peace Spring is terrorists.