ANKARA, Jan 16 (Alliance News): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged all nations to refrain from interfering in Syria’s internal matters, emphasizing Turkey’s capability to address threats posed by terrorist organizations in the region.
Speaking before parliament, Erdogan identified the Kurdish militias as a primary threat to regional peace and stability, labeling them as a significant obstacle to harmony in Syria. He reiterated Turkey’s stance on countering all extremist entities, including ISIS and Kurdish forces, and warned against external involvement in Syria’s affairs.
Erdogan stated that Turkish forces remain resolute in their mission, vowing to prevent terrorist organizations from thriving. He also issued a stark warning to the Kurdish militias, urging them to disarm or face continued military action.
The Turkish government has long considered groups such as the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) to be extensions of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey, the United States, and the European Union have designated as a terrorist organization. This classification has been central to Turkey’s military operations in Syria.