Turkish opposition questions NATO role against Daesh

By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet

ANKARA (AA) - The leader of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) on Tuesday criticized NATO’s decision to join the coalition against Daesh -- a position that could align it with the PKK/PYD.

Last week’s decision by the alliance to provide support for the liberation of Raqqah -- Daesh’s de facto capital in Syria -- would see it line up alongside the PKK/PYD, Devlet Bahceli said at a parliamentary group meeting in Ankara.

The PKK/PYD is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey but is expected to lead the ground assault on Raqqah, backed by the U.S.-led anti-Daesh coalition.

While welcoming NATO’s overall participation against Daesh, Bahceli questioned whether it would mean overlooking the PKK/PYD’s actions.

“What does NATO have to do with terrorist organisations?” Bahceli said. “Isn't this a shame?”

Highlighting Turkey’s role in NATO since 1952, Bahceli said this history was being ignored by the NATO leadership, who he accused of positioning the alliance “side by side with the enemies of Turkey”.

Last week, the defense bloc agreed to officially join the coalition against Daesh. All 28 NATO members are already part of the coalition and NATO’s role would be limited to providing support such as air-to-air refuelling and intelligence-sharing.

Turkey has lobbied strongly against using the PKK/PYD, which it says is the Syrian affiliate of the PKK, in the expected attack on Raqqah. Instead, it has suggested using the Free Syrian Army, which Turkey has backed.

However, the U.S. has continued its support for the PKK/PYD.

The PKK -- listed as a terror organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- has waged a 33-year terror campaign against Turkey that has led to more than 40,000 deaths.