Drones 'symbol of Turkey’s power, independence’

By Yusuf Ozcan

PARIS (AA) - Drones have become a symbol of Turkey’s rising power and its growing independence, according to a French daily.

“Inexpensive, reliable, and used by an experienced army, it is one of the key factors in Ankara's success,” the Liberation said in an article on Tuesday.

Reminding that the TB2 armed drones, produced by Bayraktar, are used in southeastern Turkey, northern Iraq, Syria, Libya, and the Caucasus, the daily added that the drones have played a significant role in Turkey’s foreign policy and weakening of the PKK terror group.

It has up to 27 hours of flight time and a capacity to carry four high-precision missiles, while it costs less than the cost of an American drone, it also noted.

Adding that the drones were also used in northwestern Syria in February, the daily said Turkish drones succeeded in destroying a Russian anti-aircraft equipment as well.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

* Writing and contribution by Rabia Iclal Turan in Ankara