11 October 2016•Update: 11 October 2016
ANKARA
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Tuesday criticized U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton over remarks in which she seemed to voice support for the PKK/PYD terrorist group in Syria.
In a recent presidential debate, Clinton said she would consider arming Kurdish fighters -- widely seen as a reference to the armed wing of the PYD, the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU. The PKK has fought a three-decade war against Turkey in which more than 40,000 people have died.
"I would also consider arming the Kurds," the Democratic candidate said late Sunday. "The Kurds have been our best partners in Syria, as well as Iraq. And I know there’s a lot of concern about that in some circles but I think they should have the equipment they need so that Kurdish and Arab fighters on the ground are the principal way that we take Raqqah after pushing ISIS out of Iraq."
Speaking at a Justice and Development (AK) Party meeting in Ankara, Yildirim said: "Clinton said she would support terrorist organizations in the region if elected. What does this mean? Is not America our ally? Is it not our ally in the region?"
Yildirim said Clinton was suggesting enlisting the help of one terrorist group to fight another.
"How moral is it to fight a terrorist organization through another?" he asked.
The prime minister also said Clinton's remarks justified Turkey's concerns over arming the PKK/PYD in Syria.
Turkey has repeatedly said that arming the PKK/PYD is a source of concern as the group poses a threat to Turkey.
