Washington must stop working with PKK/YPG terrorists in N.Syria, Türkiye tells US

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 the phone call, 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.

Following 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.

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.