- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

US to Understand Mistake of Decision to Arm Syrian Kurds - Turkish Minister

© REUTERS / Rodi SaidKurdish fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) head a convoy of U.S military vehicles in the town of Darbasiya next to the Turkish border, Syria April 28, 2017
Kurdish fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) head a convoy of U.S military vehicles in the town of Darbasiya next to the Turkish border, Syria April 28, 2017 - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Washington will finally understand the error in its decision to arm the Kurdish YPG militia, which Ankara regards as the Syrian extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Turkish Minister Health Recep Akdag told Sputnik.

Militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, stand at a barricade in Sirnak, Turkey. (File) - Sputnik International
US Decision to Arm Syrian Kurds Made by Trump Administration - Anti-Daesh Envoy
MOSCOW (Sputnik) Akdag pointed out that while Turkey sought to reach mutually beneficial agreements with its allies, there sometimes were no appropriate conditions. The minister underlined that such was the case now with Syria because of the United States' decision to arm the YPG.

"The [US], which is our ally, decides to send weapons to YPG, a structure associated with the PKK. But, ultimately, the United States will understand the fallacy of this step… We are trying to explain to the US [administration] that a state cannot temporarily use a terrorist organization in its interest, as this process cannot have a conclusion, cannot have time frames," Akdag said.

The Turkish minister stressed that Ankara would continue its fight against the terrorist groups threatening the country's security.

Ankara considers the YPG to be affiliated with the PKK, which is listed as a terror group in Turkey, the United States and the European Union. However, Kurdish militias, including YPG, have been receiving support from the United States in fighting the Daesh (outlawed in Russia) terrorist group in Syria.

On May 9, the US Department of Defense announced that US President Donald Trump approved, despite objections from Turkey, a plan to arm YPG in order to better fight the Daesh in Syria.

Never miss a story again — sign up to our Telegram channel and we'll keep you up to speed!

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала