Akar: Turkey supports Syrian unity

Akar: Turkey supports Syrian unity
Turkey supports the territorial integrity and political unity of Syria while conducting military operations against the YPG, the Turkish defense minister said on Sunday( Feb. 17), AA reported.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Hulusi Akar underlined that while the US is planning to withdraw from northern Syria, Turkey will continue to take measures to “prevent terrorist groups from exploiting the power vacuum.”

“While fighting terrorism, Turkey always respects territorial integrity and political unity of Syria,” he said, and stressed Ankara has no other goal than to ensure safety and security of its borders and people.

Turkey considers the YPG as a terrorist organization due to its links with the PKK, which is listed as a terror group by Ankara, the United States, and the European Union.

Akar said Turkey has recently experienced many incidents of violations and harassing fire by the YPG in the border region.

“We already have a memorandum of understanding with Syria to fight terrorists,” he said, referring to the 1998 Adana agreement between Turkey and Syria which included provisions on the fight against terrorism.

“Because of the current situation in Syria, Damascus cannot fight against terrorists. So this is the reason why we are there, why we are fighting,” he said.

The Turkish defense minister renewed Ankara's demand for a 440-kilometers long safe zone east of Euphrates, which he said should be cleared of the YPG and patrolled by the Turkish forces.

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