Turkey's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar
Turkey's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Saturday stressed Turkey’s expectation from the Washington administration to halt cooperation with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) Syrian offshoot, the People’s Protection Units (YPG).
“We expect the U.S. to stop its cooperation with the YPG terror group as promised,” Akar said.
Speaking to reporters at the first session of the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada and reiterating Turkey’s resolute stance against PKK/YPG terror group, he stated: “It is unacceptable for the U.S. to supply arms and ammunition to the YPG terror organization.”
Referring a photo of the U.S soldiers having dinner with YPG terrorists in Syria, he said, "These photos have found wide coverage in our media and disturbed our people. They tarnished the image of the U.S. and its army... for the Turkish public".
“We will not allow the establishment of a terror corridor on our southern border,” Akar added.
Akar visited the Çanakkale Martyrs’ Monument before attending the security forum.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar visits the Çanakkale Martyrs' Monument before he attends the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada on November 17, 2018.
Halifax International Security Forum in Canada
U.S. envoy confirms YPG is offshoot of PKK
The American Special Representative for Syria James Jeffrey confirmed on Thursday that the PYD/YPG is the Syrian branch of the PKK terror group.
He spoke at a panel at the Defense One Summit, which brings top military, foreign policy and intelligence leaders to Washington to discuss American security throughout the world.
Jeffrey said U.S. operations in Syria could not be done without the "active participation, coordination, and cooperation of Turkey."
At least four PKK/KCK terror suspects have been arrested in an anti-terror operation across Turkey on Saturday, according to security sources.In separate raids, four suspects were arrested in three provinces, including Istanbul, Van, and Izmir, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.Digital material used in the propaganda for the terrorist organization was also seized.The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, it has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.Iraq restarts some Kirkuk oil flows after year-long haltAssad forces raped 28, murdered 11 children in two months in Syria’s AleppoYPG is 'Syrian offshoot' of PKK terror group: US envoy100 senior terrorists neutralized in 2018: Turkish min.
Four PKK/KCK suspects arrested across Turkey
Turkish and U.S. presidents on Friday discussed ongoing investigations into the activities of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) in the U.S., said a statement by the Turkish Presidency.According to the statement, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Donald Trump spoke over the phone on late Friday.It said the two leaders also exchanged views on Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder, counter-terrorism efforts in Syria and bilateral economic relations."Agreeing on the need to shed light on all aspects and to prevent a cover-up of Jamal Khashoggi’s slaying, the leaders have stressed the importance of close cooperation between Turkey and the United States in the fight against all terrorist organizations," the statement added.Khashoggi, a frequent contributor to The Washington Post, was killed on Oct. 2 inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.Trump administration seeks ways to kick FETÖ leader Gülen out of USAfter weeks of denying any involvement in the crime, Saudi Arabia later admitted that Khashoggi had been killed inside the consulate but claimed the Saudi royal family had no prior knowledge about any murder plot.Erdoğan also offered his condolences to Trump for the loss of lives in the California wildfire.The two leaders also welcomed the start of joint patrols by Turkish and the U.S. troops within the framework of the Manbij roadmap in northwestern Syria and addressed the completion of the process without further delay.Turkish and U.S. troops began joint patrols on Nov. 1.Turkey says will not link fate of FETÖ leader Gülen to KhashoggiSince June 18, the Turkish Armed Forces have carried out 68 unilateral patrols in Manbij.The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of northern Syria's Aleppo province.The statement said Erdoğan has shared with Trump his expectations for the U.S. to stop supporting the PKK terror group's Syrian branch, referring to PYD/YPG.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 40,000 people, including women and children."Recalling the importance of following up on the matters discussed in France, the leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations in all areas," the statement added.FETÖ-linked daily’s ex-columnist gets prison sentence
Erdoğan, Trump discuss US probe into FETÖ activities