Purging PYD/PKK from Syria to help entire Middle East

By Erdal Turkoglu

HATAY, Turkey (AA) - A Syrian Turkmen commander has said the entire Middle East region would benefit if the PYD/PKK terror group is purged from Syria.

Speaking with Anadolu Agency, Bayirbucak Turkmen Region's 2nd Coastal Armed Division Commander Tarik Solak said Syrian Turkmen people "know what PYD/PKK is after in Turkey and Syria."

Bayirbucak is a region in northwest Syria, where it has a long border, as well as a rich cultural history with Turkey and Turkish people. It has a dominant Syrian Turkmen population.

"Getting rid of terrorists from Syria will be beneficial to the entire Middle East," Solak said.

"PYD/PKK were hit hard in Operation Euphrates Shield. They pretended to fight against Daesh and tried to get themselves space."

Solak said PYD/PKK terrorists forced local Arab, Kurdish and Turkmen to migrate.

"This should not be forgotten," he added.

He also said a possible operation by Turkey in Syria's Afrin region is "completely backed by Syrian Turkmen.

"We always support Turkey. May Allah bless Turkey."

Turkish military units are already deployed in Afrin, a district of Aleppo near the Turkish-Syria border, which is under siege by the PYD/PKK terrorist organization.

The PYD/PKK is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU.

An Afrin operation would follow Turkey's successful seven-month Operation Euphrates Shield, which ended in March 2017.