'PKK/PYD replacing Daesh in Raqqa threatens Turkey'

ANKARA (AA) – Liberating the northern Syrian city of Raqqa from Daesh but leaving it in the hands of the terrorist PKK/PYD would pose a serious threat to Turkey, warned Turkey’s deputy prime minister Monday.

"If you said, 'We'll liberate Raqqa but replace it [Daesh] with the PYD/YPG,' this would create a first-degree national security threat to Turkey," Numan Kurtulmus told reporters in the capital Ankara, referring to the PYD, the terrorist PKK’s branch in Syria, and the YPG, its armed wing.

Turkey can take further steps as part of a deal with the international community to liberate Raqqa from Daesh and make sure that the city is not replaced with PKK/PYD elements, said Kurtulmus.

Since last August, Turkey has led Operation Euphrates Shield to tighten border security, eliminate the terror threat along Turkish borders, and support opposition forces in Syria.

The Turkish army is supporting Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters in liberating Al-Bab -- a strategic city for Daesh located 19 miles (30 kilometers) south of the Turkish border -- from the terrorist group. Monday marks the 174th day since the city was surrounded in order to liberate it.

As many other cities close to Turkish border are still under the control of terrorist groups such as Daesh and the PYD/YPG, Turkey is determined to continue its operations, according to authorities.

One of the goals of the operation now is to liberate Raqqa, Daesh’s “capital,” as well as Manbij, a strategically important city located on the western banks of the Euphrates River, which is currently controlled by PYD/YPG forces.

Since it resumed its armed campaign in July 2015, the PKK -- the PYD/YPG’s parent group, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of approximately 1,100 security personnel and civilians, including women and children.