ADDS STATE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT
By Anadolu staff
ISTANBUL (AA) - As an ally of Ankara, Washington must stop working with PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria, Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in strong terms, Turkish diplomatic sources said on Friday.
In a phone call with Blinken, Fidan also underlined that Türkiye will continue resolutely to pursue anti-terror operations in Iraq and Syria, the sources said.
Fidan and Blinken also discussed a deconfliction mechanism between Turkish and US forces in Iraq and Syria within the framework of Türkiye's ongoing operations in the region.
Regarding the downing of a Turkish unmanned combat aerial vehicle in Syria, they agreed that the mechanism must continue effective operation without hindering the fight against terrorism, the sources added.
The issue of NATO expansion was also discussed during the meeting.
Later, the US State Department issued a statement regarding the phone call, with Spokesman Matthew Miller saying the two men "underscored that the United States and Türkiye share a common objective of defeating terrorist threats".
"Regardless of where the threats are based—in Syria, Iraq, or elsewhere—they undermine the security of the United States, Türkiye, and our Allies," Miller said, "The Secretary highlighted the need to coordinate and deconflict our activities."
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is its Syrian branch.