Erdogan: Clinton remarks on arming PYD/PKK unfortunate

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticised US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s remarks on arming Syrian Kurds as “unfortunate” on Wednesday.

“Clinton said, ‘We will continue to support the PYD and YPG.’ This is a very unfortunate statement,” Erdogan affirmed at a ceremony for appointing judges and prosecutors in Ankara.

When asked on Sunday how she would handle Syria if elected US President, Clinton outlined that she would “consider arming the Kurds.”

While she did not mention the PYD – the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US, and EU – or its armed wing, the YPG, her remarks have been interpreted in Ankara as referring to the terrorist group, reported Anadolu Agency.

The PKK has fought a three-decade war against Turkey in which more than 40,000 people have died.

“POLITICAL INEXPERIENCE”

Turkey has repeatedly said that arming the PKK/PYD is a source of concern, as the terrorist group poses a threat to Turkey.

“This should not be done,” stated Erdogan. “Because the sensibilities of the region are different. Such a step cannot be taken in a period when there are these sensibilities.”

Erdogan attributed Clinton’s remarks to “political inexperience,” while he also reiterated that “Turkey will not allow the formation of a terror corridor in northern Syria.”

TURKEY PURGE

On the state purges of Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO)-linked members in the wake of the failed July 15 coup attempt, Erdogan said a total of 3,456 FETO-linked judges, prosecutors, and top jurists have been dismissed so far, while 198 judges and prosecutors have been reinstated.

Turkey accuses FETO, which is led by US-based cleric Fetullah Gulen, of organising the coup as well as a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

The July 15 coup attempt left almost 250 people dead and some 2,200 injured.