A+ A-

Turkey rejects US plan on setting up forces N. Syria

ANKARA, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan announced on Tuesday absolute rejection of the US plan on establishing an army led by the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in northern Syria.
Erdogan told NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in a telephone conversation, that Turkey will take all necessary measures to protect its national security, within the framework of rights based on international law to face recent developments in Syria, Anadolu Agency quoted some presidential sources as saying.
For his part, Stoltenberg affirmed that Turkey has the right to defend its borders against "terrorist" attacks, considering that Ankara is an important member of NATO.
In a related context, Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that his country is able to defend its borders and overcome "terrorist" activities, which target the country.
He called on Turkey's allies to uncover their real intentions over continued cooperation with those who disturb Ankara inside and outside its territories.
Some media outlets quoted a statement issued by the US-led international coalition against the so-called Islamic State that Washington intends to set up a border force comprising 30,000 personnel in some areas in northern Syria that border Iraq and Turkey. These areas are under the control of PYD. (end) rs.hm