Turkey will do what is necessary in the fight against terrorism to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh insurgents from Syria’s northwestern Afrin region, Turkey's Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Berat Albayrak, said Monday.
The aim of Operation Olive Branch launched Saturday is to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region, eliminate PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terror groups, and protect the Syrian people from the oppression and cruelty of terrorist regimes.
"In the past, wars were fought nobly. Two armies would gather in a square in combat. Now, there are traitors behind us, on our left and on our right," Albayrak explained.
He also urged support from the NATO alliance. "It is our natural right to expect support from our allies. Because alliances require it," he said.
On May 9, the Pentagon had announced that U.S. President Donald Trump had approved arming "Kurdish elements" of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ahead of an attempt to drive Daesh from Raqqah, the last Syrian city held by the terror group.
According to the Pentagon, recent military assistance to armed groups in Syria (including the PKK/PYD) has included 12,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles; 6,000 light machine guns; 3,500 heavy machine guns; 3,000 RPG-7s; 1,000 anti-tank weapons (Swedish AT-4s and Russian SPG-9s); 235 mortar guns of various calibers; and 100 long-range sniper rifles.
According to Turkey, the YPG and PYD are deemed terrorist organizations, both being affiliates of the PKK.
However, the U.S. considers YPG/PYD as a "reliable partner" on the ground in Syria and continues to support them in the field. The terrorist group operates currently in northern Syria and controls the majority of the area close to the Turkish border.
Albayrak did not hold back in his condemnation of forces that failed to support Turkey in the fight against the PKK.
"Where were you when innocent people got hurt with the guns you gave to terrorists? Where were you when terrorist organizations made children militant? Many Western countries failed when it came to the fight against terrorism," he argued.
A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said on Sunday that the PYD/PKK is using one of its so-called news agencies to spread propaganda videos that include images of “child warriors” fighting against the Turkish Armed Forces, with the aim of boosting the morale of terrorists in Afrin.
In one such propaganda video, two young terrified girls, one speaking in fear, and a female adult terrorist are seen with handguns.
"Nobody should expect us sit down and watch all this happen, and we will do what is necessary for our country and our people," Albayrak said.
According to Turkish General Staff, the operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council’s decisions, the right to self-defense under the UN charter and respect for Syria's territorial integrity.
The military also said the "utmost importance" was being given to ensure that no civilians are harmed.
Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012 when the Assad regime in Syria without putting up a fight conceded the city to the terror group.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr