US killing of ISIS leader 'significant achievement'

By Sibel Morrow

ANKARA (AA) - The U.S. killing of Daesh/ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is "a significant achievement" and strengthened determination on counterterrorism, Turkey’s presidential spokesman said on Monday.

"But we see some efforts trying to show deference to YPG/PKK terror group in Syria in relation to [al-Baghdadi’s killing]. Everybody should be cautious on that," Ibrahim Kalin said.

Turkey’s intensive fight against Daesh/ISIS would continue especially in Syria to prevent presence of any terror group, Kalin stressed.

Referring to Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Nechirvan Barzani’s visit to Turkey, Kalin said it has not been confirmed yet and planned long before.

Kalin also emphasized that Barzani’s visit to Turkey "has nothing to do with" the U.S. killing of Daesh/ISIS leader.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the man who led the Daesh/ISIS terror organization as it swept up large swaths of Iraq and Syria, was killed in a U.S. night-time raid in northwestern Syria, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Sunday.

Trump thanked Turkey, Russia, Syria and Iraq for their cooperation in the raid, further saying Ankara was "terrific," and noting U.S. forces "flew over" some Turkish territory during the mission.

Turkey recognized Daesh/ISIS as a terrorist organization in 2013.

Since then, Turkey has been attacked by Daesh/ISIS terrorists numerous times, including in 10 suicide bombings, seven bombings, and four armed attacks.

These attacks killed 315 people, including 11 police officers and two soldiers -- and injured 137 civilians, 62 police officers and seven soldiers.

In response to these attacks, Turkey launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad.

In two cross-border military operations in Syria since 2016, Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch, Turkey neutralized 3,500 Daesh/ISIS terrorists and arrested 5,500.

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. The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.