Turkey’s VP condemns Turkish Cypriot leader over Syria op

By Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey’s vice president condemned the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) president early Sunday over his remarks on Turkey’s ongoing anti-terror operation in northern Syria.

“I condemn [Mustafa] Akinci who ignores the fact that Operation Peace Spring is taking place against the bloody terrorist organization PKK/PYD for the stability of region,” said Fuat Oktay on Twitter.

“Our struggle in the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation which was carried out with the aim of bringing peace and prosperity to the region and the struggle for Operation Peace Spring in Syria today are being carried out with the same spirit,” he added.

Oktay said Akinci’s “unfortunate remarks” do not reflect the opinion of Turkish Cypriots.

Turkey on Wednesday launched Operation Peace Spring to purge 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 northern Syria east of the Euphrates River 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 the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.