Erdogan asserts Turkey can ‘crush’ all terrorists in Syria

Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that Turkey has the capabilities and power to ‘crush’ all terrorists in Syria, including Kurdish militants and ISIS, and insisted that all countries “take their hands off’ Syria”, on January 15th, Asharq Al-Awsat via Reuters reported.

Since the toppling of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria in December last year, Turkey has insisted for the disbandment of the Kurdish YPG militant group, which the country deems a terrorist organisation.

Erdogan addressed parliament and stated that the active presence of the Kurdish militant group is the biggest problem in Syria now. He added that the group can either lay down their arms, or meet their inevitable end.

“Everyone should take their hands off Syria and we, along with our Syrian siblings, will crush the heads of ISIS, the YPG and other terrorist organisations in a short time.” Erdogan said.

READ: Kurdish militia in Syria will be “buried” if they do not drop arms – Erdogan

Ankara has threatened to launch a new cross-border operation against the YPG militia in northeast Syria if the new Syrian administration does not address the group’s presence in the region.

Erdogan also addressed the US position that YPG is a key partner against ISIS, which Erdogan regarded as “fabricated excuses.”

“If there is really a fear of the ISIS threat in Syria and the region, the biggest power that has the will and power to resolve this issue is Türkiye,” Erdogan said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on January 15th that Turkey is able to support the new Syrian administration for the management of ISIS camps.

“As we have always said, we are also ready to provide the necessary assistance to the new administration in the management of ISIS camps and prisons,” Fidan said

Asharq Al-Awsat via Reuters