Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stirred controversy after telling a tearful young girl in military uniform that the country would honour her if she became a martyr.

Mr Erdogan invited the girl on stage during a televised meeting with his Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AK Party) on Saturday in the southern town of Kahramanmaras.

In video posted online, the girl appears to be crying as she walks towards the podium Mr Erdogan kisses her on both cheeks and points out that she has the Turkish flag in her pocket.

“If she is martyred, a flag will be put on her, God willing,” he says to the crowd. “She is ready for everything, isn’t she?”

Mr Erdgoan then gives her a final kiss before letting her go.

Those in the audience yelled “Chief! Take us to Afrin!,” in reference to an offensive launched by Turkey on January 20 in northwestern Syria.

Ankara says its troops are in the region to fight against the People’s Protection Unit (YPG), a Syrian Kurdish militia.