Turkish President Erdogan threatens to attack Syrian Kurdish fighters

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says on Saturday he may order a new military onslaught against Kurdish fighters in Syria in case Turkey comes under attack from them.

“We will not discuss the matter with anyone but will make our own decision and take the matter into our own hands,” the president said at a meeting with businessmen in Istanbul.

Erdogan was referring to the Kurdish YPG group (People’s Protection Units) which he says is directly linked to the outlawed PKK in Turkey, and a possible resumption of the so-called Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria if the YPG launch an attack in the country. The Operation Euphrates Shield, a cross-border military campaign which was launched in August last year, was ended at the end of March by Turkish military.

His comments came after Turkish media said the United States was resupplying the PKK and YPG in northern Syria, a move strongly opposed by Turkey.

Erdogan also said he had spoken of the matter with both Russian and US officials.

Last month, US President Donald Trump angered Turkey when he authorized the Pentagon to provide weapons to the YPG, in addition to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, to fight ISIL militants.

(CGTN)