Turkey has no issue with Kurds, but PKK: Presidency

By Aynur Ekiz

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey does not have any issue with Kurds, the issue is the PKK terror group and its extensions in Syria, the country’s presidential communications director said on Monday.

“The Republic of Turkey is not an enemy of Kurds, but a protector [of them],” Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter.

Altun stressed that “national security” was most essential for Turkey.

“Terror is terror and it must be eradicated. What Turkey doing in Syria is exactly that," he said.

Altun stressed that PYD and YPG are terror organizations reiterated Turkey's determination in the fight against terrorism.

His remarks came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump's Twitter post saying: "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone...."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signaled that a cross-border operation against the PYD/YPG terrorist group in northeastern Syria will happen soon. Since 2016, Ankara has carried out two similar military operations in northern Syria.

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