Turkey: Terrorists mustn’t get space during US pullout

By Sibel Ugurlu and Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - We should not give space to terror groups including PYD/YPG or others during the U.S. withdrawal process in Syria, the Turkish presidential spokesman said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference following a meeting with U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton and his delegation, Ibrahim Kalin said, "Turkey is fulfilling and will continue to fulfil its responsibilities to ensure the safety of life and property of Syrians including Kurds."

Kalin underlined that Turkey's counter-terrorism operations have so far aimed to secure the safety of Kurdish people as well.

The spokesman warned that Syrian Kurds and terrorist PKK as well as its Syrian branch YPG/PYD should not be confused and mentioned as if they were the same, and added that the issue was brought up during Tuesday's meeting with the U.S. delegation in capital Ankara.

On Sunday, Bolton had said the U.S. will not withdraw troops from northeastern Syria until the Turkish government guarantees the fight against Daesh and that it won’t attack “Kurdish fighters,” referring to the YPG/PKK terrorist group.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump made the unexpected decision to withdraw 2,000 American troops from Syria, sparking criticism from many allies and security aides, including his own Cabinet.

Turkey has repeatedly objected to U.S. support for the PYD/YPG, the Syrian offshoot of the PKK terror organization, as a "reliable ally" in Syria, which has included supplying arms and equipment.