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Turkish PM Yıldırım says Turkey will respond to threats in Syria

Turkish Premier Binali Yıldırım made remarkable speech about Raqqa operation in Syria on Tuesday at group meeting of ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party. He stressed that Turkey will respond if an offensive by U.S.-backed SDF poses a security threat to Turkey.

Published June 06,2017
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Turkey's prime minister says his country will respond offensive by U.S.-backed Syrian forces to recapture the Daesh-held city of Raqqa poses a security threat to Turkey.

In an address to legislators from his ruling party, Binali Yildirim again criticized the United States for launching the Raqqa offensive with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

NATO member Turkey considers the Kurdish fighters within the SDF terrorists because of their links to outlawed Kurdish rebels in Turkey and had opposed their involvement in the operation.

Yildirim said: "To support terror organizations does not suit (our) alliance."

He added: "We will immediately give the necessary response if we come across a situation in Raqqa or any other point in the region that threatens our security."