National Security Council convenes under President Erdoğan’s chairmanship
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan chaired the National Security Council meeting at the Presidential Complex.
“TURKEY WILL NEVER ALLOW THE TERROR CORRIDOR SOUGHT TO BE ESTABLISHED ALONG ITS SOUTHERN BORDERS”
The written statement issued after the meeting read: “All aspects of the important internal and external developments which closely concern Turkey’s security have been discussed. The Council has been briefed on the fight conducted inside and outside our country against terrorist organizations, particularly Fetullah Terrorist Organization/Parallel State Structure (FETO/PSS), PKK/PYD-YPG and DAESH which threaten our national unity and solidarity and Turkey’s permanence. It has been underscored that Turkey will continue to fight against all terrorist organizations with unwavering resolve and determination.”
Noting that the Council reviewed the measures, taken by authorized bodies in order to ensure that the local elections, scheduled for March 31, 2019, are held in peace and safety across the country, the statement read: “It has been underlined that Turkey will determinedly continue its efforts to clear Syria of all terrorist organizations within the framework of its political unity and territorial integrity, and to restore peace in the country, and that Turkey will never allow the terror corridor sought to be established along its southern borders.”
“Our expectation that a constitution which will appeal to the Syrian people be drafted and free and democratic elections be held and our contributions to it have been voiced. It has been stated that a safe zone in northern Syria can only be accepted if it serves to ensure the safety of not terrorist organizations, but of the two countries’ peoples and that stability cannot be restored in the region and migration movements cannot be halted unless Manbij and the east of the Euphrates are cleared of terrorist organizations,” the statement read.
“TURNING A BLIND EYE TO ISLAMOPHOBIA CAN LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR SIMILAR TERRORIST ATTACKS”
On the attack in New Zealand, the Council strongly condemned the terrorist attack where innocent people were brutally massacred solely because of their beliefs. “All aspects of the incident were discussed. It has been stated that individual and organizational elements of the climate which supports the Islamophobic, racist mentality that also contains Turkophobia, must be uncovered and addressed resolutely.”
The statement also warned that turning a blind eye to Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment, for various reasons, which increasingly turn into violence and terrorism can lay the groundwork for similar terrorist attacks.
