Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar
Turkey’s defense minister said Tuesday that northern Iraq’s Sinjar region will not be allowed to become a new stronghold for the PKK terror group.
"We expect the Iraqi government to cooperate with us in ending the separatist PKK terror group’s presence in Iraqi territories," said Hulusi Akar during his budget speech in parliament.
Akar noted that Turkey respects the territorial integrity of Syria, Iraq and its neighbors.
"However, for the security of the country and the nation, our operations will continue until the PKK terror group has been completely defeated in the locations they exist in Iraq," he said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday said he told U.S. President Donald Trump that if Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists are not withdrawn from the east of the Euphrates that Turkey would “remove them.”The military operation east of the Euphrates could start "at any moment," he said at a mass opening ceremony at Mevlana Square in central Konya province."We can start our operation any moment now in the Syrian territory at any place especially along the 500-kilometer border, without harming the U.S soldiers," said Erdoğan.He said the army has completed preparations for the planned operation, adding that Turkey will do "what is necessary" regarding terror corridors east of the Euphrates River.Erdogan reiterated that Turkey will not allow a terror corridor along its borders."I’m not just saying this ... Now it’s time for the area east of the Euphrates. Listen, those who are protecting terrorists in the region: You're making a mistake. Let's give up [protecting them]," the president warned.Erdogan said Turkey's fight against terrorism in Syria will continue until fresh elections are held and a comprehensive political solution is reached in the country.A possible mission east of the Euphrates, which Turkey’s leadership has been suggesting for months, would follow two successful cross-border Turkish operations into Syria since 2016 – Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch – both meant to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.
Turkey may start new Syria operation at any moment, Erdoğan says
Sinjar “will never be allowed to become a new [Mt.] Qandil".
The terrorist PKK has its main base in the Mt. Qandil region, which is located near the Turkish border.
On Thursday, the Turkish Armed Forces dealt a heavy blow to the PKK terror group in the Sinjar and Mt. Karajak regions.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.
A U.S. colonel serving in the American-led coalition in Syria on Sunday spread pro-Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) propaganda on Twitter. U.S. Colonel Sean Ryan shared a scandalous tweet on his official Twitter account calling Turkish soldiers “terrorists.” The tweet was later removed after the colonel came under fire from social media users who were outraged by the fact that a high-ranking U.S. military official would spread anti-Turkey propaganda. German journalist was blocked Colonel Ryan even went as far as blocking German journalist Julian Röpcke who criticized him for retweeting the PKK propaganda, which landed the U.S. military official in more hot water. The move prompted the journalist in a tweet to ask when it became okay to block journalists for doing their job. Ryan was again forced to backtrack, unblocking Röpcke on Twitter.Case closed. pic.twitter.com/WzjtmsgB2x— Julian Röpcke (@JulianRoepcke) 16 Aralık 2018 Colonel Ryan’s outrageous retweet comes as the U.S. provides protection for PKK/PYD terrorists digging tunnels on Turkey’s southern borders.Pentagon hands over Syria observation posts to PKK/PYD ahead of Turkish opTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last week said Turkey was set to launch an operation east of the Euphrates "within a matter of days to save it from a separatist terrorist organization", referring to the PYD/PKK.A possible mission east of the Euphrates, which Turkey’s leadership has been suggesting for months, would follow two successful cross-border Turkish operations into Syria since 2016 – Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch – both meant to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.Turkey says US can't hinder op east of EuphratesThe PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.
US colonel calls Turkish soldiers ‘terrorists,’ spreads PKK/PYD propaganda
Akar also recalled the U.S.'s promise to remove the YPG/PKK terror group from Syria's Manbij region.
“However, we have determined that the terror group has dug trenches in Manbij,” he said.
"When the time comes, the terrorists in this region will be buried in the trenches they have dug," he stressed.
Akar also provided data on the number of Turkish armed forces personnel dismissed since the 2016 defeated coup attempt.
The Pentagon has handed control over the observation posts established by the U.S. on Turkey’s southern borders to terrorists from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s Syria affiliate, the PYD. The posts, set up in Syria’s northern border town of Tal Abyad, are the latest attempt by PKK/PYD terrorists to monitor Turkish movements across the border, using telescopes and close-up lenses. The observation posts are being protected by vehicles handed over by Washington to PKK/PYD terrorists.These points are thought to be among the first targets to be struck by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) when Turkey’s imminent operation east of the Euphrates River begins.President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last week said Turkey was set to launch an operation east of the Euphrates "within a matter of days to save it from a separatist terrorist organization", referring to the terrorist PYD/PKK.Turkey says US can't hinder op east of EuphratesPKK/PYD Snipers and a large number of armored vehicles in the area are said to be pointing their barrels toward Turkey as the op looms. Tal Abyad is set to be among the most important fronts during the upcoming Turkey-led cross-border operation. Turkish units across the border in the Akçakale-Tal Abyad zone are on full alert, with howitzers and long-barreled missile launchers, which are capable of hitting targets 40 kilometers away, at the ready.The Pentagon established its first observation post in Syria’s Tal Abyad in early December about 2 kilometers away from the Turkish border on a hill, which has a clear view of Turkish soil.Syrian Turkmen, Arabs back Turkey’s planned operationOn the opposite side of the border, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have an observation post in the Turkish village of Öncül, which is just 2-2.5 kilometers away from Washington’s post.U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Nov. 21 that the United States was setting up the posts to help keep the focus on clearing the final strongholds of Daesh terrorists in Syria and avert terror threats.“We want to be the people to call the Turks and warn them if we see something coming out of an area that we’re operating in,” Mattis said.Last week, PKK terrorists accelerated efforts to transfer weapons received from the U.S. under the pretext of fighting Daesh to Syria’s northeastern town of Tal Abyad. The shipments particularly escalated after Turkey started to shell PKK/YPG terror positions in the city and the east of the Euphrates River.The PYD and its military YPG wing are Syrian branches of the PKK, which has waged war against Turkey for more than 30 years.A possible mission east of the Euphrates, which Turkey’s leadership has been suggesting for months, would follow two successful cross-border Turkish operations into Syria since 2016 – Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch – both meant to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.
Pentagon hands over Syria observation posts to PKK/PYD ahead of Turkish op
"Since July 15, [2016] due to FETO, a total of 15,154 personnel, including 150 generals and admirals and 7,595 officers, have been dismissed from the Turkish Armed Forces," he noted, referring to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization.
FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.