Erdoğan blasts NATO ally U.S. for shooting down a Turkish UAV in Syria | U.S. moves do not align with concept of NATO partnership
"It's worth noting that while Türkiye employs drones, the United States has shot down our unmanned aerial vehicles. This raises a fundamental question: Isn't Türkiye currently a partner of the United States within NATO? How can we reconcile this inconsistency? When our UAVs are being targeted in such a manner, it calls into question the true nature of our alliance. Such actions do not align with the principles of partnership," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed in his remarks on Tuesday.
- Middle East
- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 07:48 | 10 October 2023
- Modified Date: 07:54 | 10 October 2023
Speaking to journalists during a press conference with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in the capital Ankara on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan lashed out at NATO ally United States for shooting down a Turkish UAV in conflict-hit Syria.
"Consider this: there are over 20 American military bases in Syria. What purpose do these bases serve, and what activities are being conducted within them? We have 23 such bases in the region. Isn't it essential for us to examine this situation closely?
It's noteworthy that while Türkiye utilizes drones, the United States has shot down our unmanned aerial vehicles. The question arises: isn't Türkiye currently America's partner within NATO? How do we reconcile this inconsistency? At times, we're partners when it suits us, yet at other times, we face actions like these.
It's disheartening to witness the United States simultaneously supporting, training, and arming various groups in the region, some of which are considered terrorist organizations.
Furthermore, these actions have contributed to the volatile situation in Syria and the wider Middle East, turning these regions into arenas of conflict. We must scrutinize these occurrences as well. When our UAVs are being shot down, can we genuinely claim to be allies? Such a scenario does not align with the concept of a partnership," Turkish leader Erdoğan stressed in his comments regarding the latest political developments.
"Consider this: there are over 20 American military bases in Syria. What purpose do these bases serve, and what activities are being conducted within them? We have 23 such bases in the region. Isn't it essential for us to examine this situation closely?
It's noteworthy that while Türkiye utilizes drones, the United States has shot down our unmanned aerial vehicles. The question arises: isn't Türkiye currently America's partner within NATO? How do we reconcile this inconsistency? At times, we're partners when it suits us, yet at other times, we face actions like these.
It's disheartening to witness the United States simultaneously supporting, training, and arming various groups in the region, some of which are considered terrorist organizations.
Furthermore, these actions have contributed to the volatile situation in Syria and the wider Middle East, turning these regions into arenas of conflict. We must scrutinize these occurrences as well. When our UAVs are being shot down, can we genuinely claim to be allies? Such a scenario does not align with the concept of a partnership," Turkish leader Erdoğan stressed in his comments regarding the latest political developments.
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