Türkiye pressures US to reevaluate partnership with terrorist group YPG
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi (not seen) hold a joint press conference after their meeting at Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Istanbul, Turkiye on October 19, 2024. (AA Photo)
Türkiye is urging the United States to halt its support for the YPG terrorist group, according to Turkish media.
YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, a terrorist group also designated as such by the U.S., the EU and Türkiye.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in comments to Turkish daily Milliyet on Monday, said, “We are constantly reminding our American counterparts that they need to stop cooperating with the terrorist organization in Syria. Our contacts on this issue have increased, and we see that the U.S. is open to more dialogue and negotiation.”
Erdogan hints at operation against YPG
On Sunday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hinted at the possibility of a new military offensive in northern Syria to establish additional safe zones along Türkiye’s border.
This follows his recent statement about raising the issue of U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria with President-elect Donald Trump.
The U.S. support for YPG has been a major point of contention between the NATO allies. Ankara has repeatedly criticized Washington for this partnership, citing the YPG’s direct ties to the PKK.
Türkiye has conducted several cross-border operations against YPG since 2016 and has repeatedly threatened further actions.
Erdogan, in his Sunday remarks, said these operations had successfully created safe zones, thwarting efforts to establish a “terror corridor” along the border.
“God willing, we will complete the missing links of the safe zone we have established along our borders in the coming period,” Erdogan declared.
