Turkish Defense Minister Guler underlines Ankara’s readiness for further cooperation with new administration in Syria
Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler reiterated Sunday Türkiye’s stance on Syria, emphasizing the dismantling of the PKK/YPG terrorist organization as a top priority.
“Our primary issue in Syria is the dismantling of the PKK/YPG terrorist organization. We have expressed this to our American friends. We expect them to reassess their position,” said Guler, revealing Türkiye’s ongoing discussions with the US.
Guler reported Türkiye’s significant progress in the fight against terrorism in a speech at the Annual Evaluation Meeting held in Ankara, outlining key counterterrorism achievements.
“With the operations we have carried out, we have neutralized 2,939 terrorists, including those in northern Iraq and Syria, since the beginning of this year,” he said. “Additionally, 99 terrorists have surrendered.”
He also emphasized that Türkiye’s ongoing operations are significantly disrupting terrorist organizations through continuous and comprehensive efforts, replacing the “limited-targeted and time-bound” operations of the past.
Through unconventional, unpredictable, and rapid execution, Türkiye has been able to neutralize terrorists and dismantle critical infrastructure used by terrorist groups, according to the minister.
“In Operation Claw-Lock, 1,136 terrorists were neutralized in key regions between Syria and Qandil, a significant area for the terrorist organization,” Guler explained.
Turkish authorities use the term “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.
PKK terrorists often hide out in northern Iraq to plot cross-border attacks in Türkiye.
Türkiye in 2022 launched Operation Claw-Lock to target the terror group’s hideouts in northern Iraq’s Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions.
Türkiye’s stance on Kurdish population
Minister Guler made it clear that Türkiye has no issue with the Kurdish populations in Iraq and Syria: “We have no problem with our Kurdish brothers and sisters living in Iraq and Syria. Our problem is only and solely with the terrorists.”
He reaffirmed that dismantling the PKK/YPG terrorist organization remains Türkiye’s primary objective in Syria.
“In the new era, the PKK/YPG terrorist organization will be dismantled in Syria sooner or later. Both the new administration in Syria and we want this,” Guler added.
In its 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is PKK’s Syrian offshoot.
aa.com.tr