Fight against Daesh in Al-Bab in 'Turkey's interest'

By Ferdi Turkten

ANKARA

The ongoing Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria and the clashes with Daesh terrorists in Al-Bab are in Turkey's national interest and security, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said Thursday.

Speaking to TGRT television, Kurtulmus said: “We will continue to support the Free Syrian Army with our own means in the Operation Euphrates Shield in any case."

He reiterated it was "not an operation to gain land in Syria, but to protect Turkey's own borders."

He was also critical of the U.S.-led coalition forces, which, he said, had failed to provide the necessary air support to Turkey-backed opposition forces taking part in Operation Euphrates Shield against Daesh.

About his expectations on ties with the U.S. under President Donald Trump, he emphasized two points. The first one, he said, was: "We want to see the good intention of U.S. regarding the extradition of FETO leader Fetullah Gulen."

Referring to Turkey’s repeated requests to Washington to extradite Gulen, Kurtulmus said: "Yes, we know that is a judicial process and it may take long, but let's first see their intention. What we repeatedly asked [the U.S. to do] is to arrest him there and control him so that he cannot be active in his network."

Turkey accuses the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) led by Fetullah Gulen of organizing the deadly July 15 defeated coup as well as a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

Since the coup attempt, which left at least 248 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured, Turkey has urged NATO members and all ally nations to take measures against the activities of FETO.

Currently, Gulen is a resident of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and remains free on U.S. soil.

The deputy prime minister said his second expectation from the Trump administration was about ending the U.S.’ support for the PYD - the Syrian offshoot of the PKK terrorist organization.

"They should see how much their partnership with PYD has moved Turkey away from the U.S."

Only the PKK has been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., while Turkey has all three groups - PKK, PYD, YPG - on its terror list.