US continues to support terrorist groups in Syria, Ankara says

The Defense Ministry expresses concern at the U.S.’ continued support for PKK/YPG, warning against the use of one terrorist group to combat another in the fight against Daesh

Türkiye National Defense Ministry stated Thursday that the United States continues its support for the PKK/YPG terrorist group under the guise of combating Daesh.

“The U.S. continues to support the PKK/YPG terrorist organization under the pretext of fighting against Daesh. It is not possible to fight a terrorist organization using another terrorist organization. So the fight against terrorism cannot be done with terrorists,” the official told reporters.

In late February, Gen. Erik Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited the al-Hol and al-Roj camps in Syria, where the YPG/PKK terrorist group holds the families of Daesh terrorists.

“Our expectation from friendly and allied countries is to stop aid and support to the PKK/YPG terrorist organization and to provide sincere support to our fight against terrorism,” emphasized the source.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated on Wednesday that Türkiye remains resolute in its fight against terrorism.

“We maintain our will to create a 30-40 kilometer deep security corridor along our Syrian border. We are determined to fill with new steps the gaps in this corridor, part of which we have already established with our previous operations.

“As we have openly told them in person, we call on all in the region to respect this security strategy of ours. Otherwise, they themselves will be the reason for potential tensions. We have preparations that will cause new nightmares for those who assume they can bring Türkiye to its knees by establishing a ‘terroristan’ along our southern borders,” Erdogan warned.

Türkiye has long voiced complaints about the U.S. collaborating with the PKK/YPG under the guise of fighting Daesh. Turkish officials argue that using one terrorist group to combat another is illogical.

Since 2016, Ankara has launched a series of successful counterterrorism operations across its northern Syria border to prevent the establishment of a terror corridor and facilitate the peaceful resettlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

In its over 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK –designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and the European Union – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 individuals, including women, children, and infants.

Source: Newsroom

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