Turkey: Opposition party criticizes N.Syria operation

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - An opposition party leader on Tuesday criticized Turkey's anti-terror operation in northern Syria.

"The operation launched by Turkey is an attack on the will of democratic life, democratic rule, peace and hope advanced by Kurdish people and other communities. It's an occupation movement," said Pervin Buldan, co-chair of the opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), during her party's parliamentary group meeting.

"Turkey is going through a deep economic, social, political, and communal crisis. There is a ruling crisis. The country is sliding into an abyss under one-man rule," Buldan also claimed.

The HDP itself has been accused of ties to the terrorist PKK and the YPG/PKK, the PKK's Syrian offshoot and the target of Turkey's anti-terror operation.

Last week Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned European leaders against branding Turkey’s anti-terror push an “occupation.”

In fact, Turkish leaders have argued, the operation is meant to end the occupation and oppression of the terrorist YPG/PKK.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants to clear east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG.

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