US treats Turkey as its ‘enemy’, says PM Yildirim

By Selma Kasap

ANKARA

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Monday criticized the U.S.’ recently announced plan to form a border army led by the terrorist PKK/PYD in Syria.

Speaking at the Turkey artisans meeting in the capital, Yildirim said that the U.S. is treating Turkey as its “enemy”.

On Sunday, the U.S.-led international coalition against Daesh announced that it would establish a 30,000-strong new border security force with the SDF -- the U.S.-backed group, largely controlled and manned by the PKK/PYD terrorist organization in Syria.

"The countries with imperialist ambitions in the region are explicitly supporting terror groups… against Turkey," the premier said.

Yildirim urged the U.S. to realize its mistake and drop the plan.

Regarding the mortar shell fired from Syria to target Turkey’s southern Kilis province, Yildirim said Turkey will respond back to the attempt.

"Harassing fire from Kobane and Afrin regions continued [against Turkey]. We will not be frightened off by them," he added.

Turkey has long protested the U.S. support for the PKK/PYD terror group, while Washington has brushed off these criticisms, saying it needs the terror group’s help to fight against Daesh in Syria.

The PKK/PYD is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU.

The PKK has waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years, leading to the deaths of more than 40,000 security forces and civilians -- including more than 1,200 since July 2015.