President Erdoğan: Turkey ready to fight terrorism after US leaves Syria
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed at the U.S Chamber of Commerce and American-Turkish Council.
"Turkey is ready to take over responsibility in fight against terrorist groups in [Syria] areas which the U.S. will withdraw from," Erdoğan said.
U.S. President Donald Trump made the unexpected decision in December to withdraw all 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria, drawing criticism from many allies and security aides, including his own Cabinet.
"The recent initiative that Trump took in Syria ruined the plans of those who are trying to axe the Turkey-U.S. relations," Erdoğan said.
Turkey is "determined" to fight against all terrorist groups, particularly Daesh, threatening itself, the region and the world, he added.
On the bilateral relations, Erdoğan said that the two NATO allies have successfully overcome all problems and the resistance tests.
The president also said Turkey and the U.S. have a strong, comprehensive and strategic alliance based on common interests.
“KURDISH BROTHERS SHELTER ONLY IN TURKEY”
Reiterating his call for distinguishing the Kurds from the PKK/PYD terrorists, Erdoğan said identifying PKK/PYD terrorist group with local residents is a "biggest insult" against the Kurds.
Turkish officials strongly condemned the U.S. conflation of Kurds with the terror group, saying a forthcoming Turkish operation in northern Syria would target the terrorist group which threatens the Arabs, Turkmens, and Kurds alike in Syria.
"Our Kurdish brothers, who are now fleeing Daesh attacks and PKK/PYD persecution, shelter only in Turkey," Erdoğan said.
Erdoğan said it was not possible to understand support for "these killers".
He added 23,000 trucks loaded with weapons and ammunition were recently brought to the terror group in northern Syria.
"However, the U.S. still does not accept them as a terrorist organization," Erdogan said.
On a possible safe zone in Syria, Erdoğan reiterated he supports the idea of establishing a terror-free zone for refugees to safely return home.
He also called for establishing container cities for refugees in Syria’s safe zones.
Turkey’s fight against FETO
About Turkey’s fight against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), Erdoğan said Ankara expects the U.S. to take necessary steps "as soon as possible” over the terrorist group behind the July 15, 2016 defeated coup in Turkey.
The president said Turkey and its families of martyrs get hurt since US-based FETO leader Fetullah Gulen have moved on with his life in Pennsylvania "as if nothing happens".
