Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made his comments during a speech to AK party members in Ankara on October 26. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
On October 26, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a “final warning” to Kurdish armed groups in Syria, claiming that Ankara “will eliminate threat towards Turkey” and will not allow activities that endanger the country’s borders.
Speaking to a group of provincial leaders of his AK Party in Ankara, the Turkish President vowed to clear the entire area east of the Euphrates River from the terrorists – this is how Ankara describes US-backed Kurdish armed groups there because of their links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The PKK, designated as a terrorist group in multiple states, is one of the essential threats to the Turkish security.
The US support to these Kurdish armed groups, which are the core of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces, is among the key issues behind the US-Turkish tensions on the Syrian conflict.
Erdogan also adressed the current situation in northwestern Syria where Turkey, Iran and Russia are attempting to impose the demilitarized zone.
“We, together with Russia and Iran have developed a formula that takes into account the interests of all parties. In Geneva, we failed to solve these problems, and we made a decision on a Syrian settlement in Astana. Then there was Sochi, Tehran, where we reached a logical conclusion. As a result, there are no problems with Idlib now,” Erdogan stated commenting on the situation in idlib and Turkey’s cooperation with the Syrian-Iranian-Russian alliance.
Despite the warm words by all sides, the demilitarized zone agreement is not working well yet. While relatively moderate Turkish-backed militant groups have withdraw their heavy weapons from the area, the hardcore extremists – the most military capable part of the “opposition” – continie to violate the agreement keeping their heavy weapons and shelling government positions.
“…vowed to clear the entire area east of the Euphrates River from the terrorists – this is how Ankara describes US-backed Kurdish armed groups”
So a NATO member is De facto “declaring war” on a US ally/supported? If President Erdogan goes through with it, it can only become an interesting scenario.
“So a NATO member is De facto “declaring war” on a US ally/supported?”
Ally? No, on a designated terrorist group that the US supports.
Sounds like a Putin masterstroke. We will see.
Sooooon
Who is ?
Then there was Sochi, Tehran, where we reached a logical conclusion. As a result, there are no problems with Idlib now,” Erdogan stated commenting on the situation in idlib. LOLLLLLLLLLLL u fucking turkish bastard
you fucccking scumbag potsucker bastard
Anyone here know if the land in question is populated by ethnic Kurds? If so Erdogan is really saying genocide and ethnic cleansing of Kurds will expand to include all land west of the Euphrates. Not sure Mattis will go along with that. Suspect US is in favor of regime change in Turkey. Letting Kurds give Turkey a bloody nose in Syria may be the first step. Willing to bet Russia, Syria and Iran will be backing the Kurds in their fight against Turkey too. I for one would like to see Turkey out of Syria. Is this overreach by Turkey?