President Erdoğan: Turkey never has and never will commit any civilian massacre
President and Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at the party’s parliamentary group meeting.
“The civilian massacre slander is one of the main materials of the campaign conducted today against our country. Turkey has never committed any civilian massacre throughout its history, and it never will. Neither our faith nor our culture or moral values allow that,” said President Erdoğan.
Touching upon Turkey’s ongoing Operation Peace Spring in Syria, President Erdoğan listed the goals of the operation as follows:
“1- Turkey doesn’t target the Kurds, the Arabs or any other group in Syria. Terrorists are the sole target of the operation. Turkey is not engaged in any act of occupation or invasion in Syria, but is conducting an anti-terror operation. We are not fighting against the Syrian people. We, together with the Syrian people, are fighting against oppressors.
2- Turkey has from the beginning stated its readiness to take over the responsibility for DAESH members that remain within the area of the operation. However, the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, persistently protected by some circles, has started to release DAESH members whom it uses as an instrument of blackmail. One way or another we will beat DAESH members that attempt to target our country. Let the administrators of the areas they may head to deal with the rest. We will continue to neutralize DAESH members as well as PKK/YPG members in the areas we take under control.
3- Turkey respects Syria’s territorial integrity and political unity. Once a legitimate government that represents all groups is formed in this country, we will leave the administration of the areas we have made secure to them. No word uttered or no step taken on Syria’s behalf has a value as long as this country’s lands are under terrorists’ occupation.
4- Operation Peace Spring will continue until we reach the 30 to 35-kilometer depth, which we have previously declared, along the entire line from Manbij to the Iraqi border. We have no exception, no hesitation or no compromise on that. We are noting down those who support us on this path as well as those who throw a wrench into it.
5- We want to immediately start working to facilitate the return of 1 to 2 million Syrians to the areas we have made secure. We ask the international community to use their means to back this project. It is the duty of the entire world to support our works that will save the Syrian people from the agonies they have been suffering for 8 years.
6- Turkey has enough experience and wisdom to know that terrorists cannot be negotiated with, and that even if you did, it would come to nought. Those who have for years lived arm in arm with terrorists can negotiate all they want, but we by no means resort to such a path.”
