Turkey to take own measures against terror groups in Syria: Turkish FM

WASHINGTON – Anadolu Agency

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Jan. 15 criticized U.S. plans to help a Kurdish-led militia set up a border security force in northern Syria.

Speaking to journalists in Canada’s Vancouver city, Çavuşoğlu said the U.S. must clarify which side it is on, whether it chooses to be with its allies or terror groups.

His remarks came following an announcement made by the U.S.-led international coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on Jan. 14 that it would establish a 30,000-strong new border security force with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the U.S.-backed group largely controlled and manned by the People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Syria.

“We will take our own measures [against terror groups]. Regardless of who backs them, whether it is the U.S. or other countries, it doesn’t matter to us,” Çavuşoğlu said.

About a possible military operation into Afrin in northwestern Syria, he said Turkey will fight against YPG militants just like it did against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The YPG is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey because of its links with the PKK.