Turkey: Main opposition urges US to reject terrorism

By Mehmet Tosun

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu on Thursday called on the U.S. to take a clear stance against terrorism.

Speaking during a visit to Turkish Bread Producers Federation in capital Ankara, Kilicdaroglu said: “We want the U.S. to take a clear stance against terrorism. A common stance against terrorism is needed. Everyone should join Turkey’s fight against terrorism."

"We don’t want terror nests along our borders,” he added.

Expressing his appreciation for the Turkish Army’s fight against PYD/PKK in Syria’s Afrin town as part of Operation Olive Branch, Kilicdaroglu said Turkey has suffered from terrorism for more than 30 years.

Turkey on Saturday launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as to protect the Syrian people from the oppression and cruelty of terrorists.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, UN Security Council's decisions, self-defense rights under the UN charter and respect to Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said the "utmost importance" was being given to not harm any civilian.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012 when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without putting up a fight.