14 January 2018•Update: 15 January 2018
By Ozcan Yildirim
ANKARA
Turkey has the right to fight all terror groups in any manner it deems fit, and will continue to take necessary measures to ensure its security in line with national interests, the presidential spokesman said Sunday.
"Within this framework, Turkey reserves its right to respond to the legitimate target of terror organizations in any way, time and place," Ibrahim Kalin said in a written statement.
Kalin noted that the U.S.-led international coalition against Daesh had issued a written statement to some media outlets, wherein it said that the coalition was working with the SDF -- the U.S.-backed group that is largely controlled and manned by the PKK/PYD terrorist organization in Syria -- to set up and train a Syria Border Protection Force.
"The United States of America takes worrisome steps towards legitimizing the PKK terrorist group's Syrian offshoot, PYD-YPG under the pretense of 'fight against Daesh'," Kalin said, adding the steps also aimed to provide a permanent place for the terrorist group in the region.
"This situation is totally unacceptable," he said.
"Turkey will continue its resolute fight against all kinds of terrorist organizations within and outside its borders -- regardless of whatever name or methods those groups use -- as per the statements of Mr. President [Recep Tayyip Erdogan]," Kalin concluded.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, and has waged war against Turkey for more than 30 years, killing an estimated 40,000 people in related violence.
However, the U.S. considers the terrorist group's Syrian offshoot a partner in the fight against Daesh, and continues to support and arm it, a move which strains Turkey-U.S. relations.
Following a fragile cease-fire, the PKK resumed fighting in July 2015. Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of approximately 1,200 security personnel and civilians, according to an official tally.
