Erdogan: Mayors serve people, not support terrorists

ISTANBUL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that mayors should not support terrorist organizations as their only duty is to serve citizens.

“As a mayor or [town] council, you cannot support terrorist organizations. You have no such authority.

"Your only obligation is to provide all kinds of services to the citizens in your respective regions, including infrastructure and superstructure investments,” Erdogan told reporters following the early morning prayer at the start of the four-day Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, also known as the feast of sacrifice.

The president was referring to 28 mayors who were suspended from duty over alleged ties to the PKK or FETO, the latter linked to the July 15 coup attempt.

Twenty-eight trustees were appointed to oversee local administrations Sunday following the suspension of mayors accused of links to terrorism.

Erdogan said this was "a delayed action,” saying "I hope, from now on, these 28 municipalities will provide the services which the people have been denied so far."

The president also commented on the Syria cease-fire deal reached over the weekend that should begin Monday.

"If it works out, the truce will be extended one more week and then will be continuous," he said, adding that food, clothes and toys provided by both the UN and the Turkish Red Crescent would be delivered mainly to Aleppo citizens on Monday evening through the designated corridors.

“Red Crescent, together with [Turkey’s aid agency] AFAD, will also try to reach Al-Rai and Jarabulus [in northern Syria] ,” he said.

The town of al-Rai and Jarabulus city were recently cleared of Daesh terrorists as part of Operation Euphrates Shield, which began Aug. 24, when the Free Syrian Army, backed by the Turkish Armed Forces, took the city of Jarabulus from Daesh.

Erdogan reiterated the need to create a safe zone for refugees in northern Syria.

"This is not just Turkey's plan. We discussed this issue with [U.S. President Barack] Obama, [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin and [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel. We said 'Let's do this'," Erdogan said, adding a train-and-equip program was started in the region.

“However, this is not enough. We also need a no-fly zone, and a safe zone," he said.

Erdogan said Turkey's 911-kilometer (566-mile) border with Syria was exposed to continuous threats.

"There are the PYD, the YPG and Daesh trying to form a terror corridor here. We need to remove this terror corridor by fighting against them and turn this corridor into a peace corridor. We need a secure zone for our safety. Our firm stance on this issue will continue," he said.

Erdogan also criticized some media outlets describing Turkey and terrorist groups as "sides".

"We sometimes read and hear some media stories which use the term 'sides'. A state would never recognize a terrorist organization as a side," the president said.

*Reporting by Andac Hongur; Writing by Sibel Ugurlu