Turkish military ready to retaliate Kurdish attacks from Syria, northern Iraq

ANKARA, May 19 (KUNA) -- The Turkish army has completed preparations for any potential operations against the Popular Protection Units (YPG), the military wing of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), considered an arm of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Syria, according to military sources Friday.
The military is ready to retaliate potential attacks from the Kurdish forces, from Syria or Iraq, the Anadolu news agency quoted the sources as saying.
They added that the Turkish Air Force and ground troops have drawn up plans for cross-border operations; the latter sent enforcements to the border line.
In addition, alert level has been raised in the military units on the Turkish side opposite the areas controlled by the Kurdish forces in Syria and northern Iraq, the sources noted. The military and the Turkish intelligence are closely following up movements of the Kurds on the border line.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in Washington last Tuesday Turkey would "exercise its rights under the rules of engagement", without consulting anyone, if it faced a threat. (end) rs.msa