Assad regime’s cooperation with PKK/YPG terrorists evident: AK Party spox
AK Party Spokesperson and Deputy Chairman Omer Celik made statements to journalists at a press conference at the party headquarters. (AA Photo)
Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) spokesperson, Omer Celik, has criticized the Syrian regime for collaborating with the PKK/YPG terrorist organizations, describing the cooperation as ‘clear’ and a direct threat to Türkiye’s security.
“The regime hands over areas it abandons to terrorist organizations,” Celik stated.
Türkiye’s alleged involvement in recent clashes in Syria
Spokesperson Celik also commented on the rumors about Türkiye’s alleged involvement in recent clashes in Syria and said: “According to what is being said outside and inside the country, Türkiye is behind the latest mobilization in Syria. These are all untrue and lies.”
“What we desire is not an escalation of conflicts. The situation arising here stems from Syria’s internal dynamics,” Celik underlined.
Türkiye’s priorities: Tel Rifaat, Manbij and safe zone
Celik reiterated Türkiye’s stance on two critical security demands:
- Removal of terror groups: PKK/YPG presence in Tel Rifaat and Manbij must end.
- 30-kilometer security zone: Türkiye insists on maintaining a terror-free buffer zone along its border.
“We will not tolerate the presence of terror elements in these areas, which pose a direct threat to our national security,” Celik added.
“We had two demands in the agreements reached. The removal of the terrorist organization from Tel Rifaat and Manbij. The promises on this issue were not fulfilled. Secondly, we do not want to see terrorist organizations within a depth of 30 km from the Turkish border towards Syria,” Celik said.
“The existence of these terrorist organizations is a threat to Türkiye’s security. The promises were not kept. In addition, the regime invites the PKK terrorist organization to the places it abandoned after this mobility. This reveals the cooperation between the regime and the terrorist organization,” Celik stated.
“Our position is that we do not want to see the presence of terrorist organizations in Tel Rifaat and Manbij,” Celik said.
Is Türkiye’s demand for meeting with Assad still valid?
AK Party’s Spokesperson Celik has also answered questions regarding Türkiye’s current position with normalization with Bashar al-Assad and said, “Until recently, our president’s desire to meet with Assad is the biggest proof of this. The Assad side has been slow on this issue. It showed incompetence in showing an inclusive diplomatic attitude. Our interlocutors were warned at every level.”
“The effort so far has been to prevent the issue from reaching this dimension. These comments expressed by opposition parties are extremely wrong. If Assad creates an inclusive government model, the conflicts will end,” he added.
Our president paid visits to many points. In the speeches made after all these, our president said that we should meet with Assad and start the normalization process.
Until today, we have repeatedly called on the regime to come together with the opposition. We wanted an inclusive government to be formed. The rumor that we have some expansionist desires is completely false. On the contrary, we want all of them to preserve their territorial integrity and have an inclusive government.
There should be no threat against Türkiye.
We also do not want a new wave of migration to return to our country. Of course, our president’s call is still valid today.
Our President has been giving these messages to his interlocutors and has expressed his will for the foreign ministers and heads of intelligence to come together in the format of the Astana process. This is extremely important.
One of the sensitivities that our president mentioned is our determination to eliminate the terrorist threat.
AK Party Spokesperson Omer Celik
