'Ferhat Abdi Sahin as much of terrorist as Baghdadi'

ANKARA

YPG/PKK ringleader Ferhat Abdi Sahin, code-named Mazloum Kobani, is as much of a terrorist as Daesh/ISIS ringleader Baghdadi, Turkish interior minister said on Monday.

"Talking on the phone, being in contact with him, do not take his guise of terrorism," said Suleyman Soylu in his speech at an opening ceremony at police headquarters in capital Ankara.

"He is a murderer and states governed by rule of law should not communicate with him," he added.

Turkey recognized Daesh/ISIS as a terrorist organization in 2013.

Since then, Turkey has been attacked by Daesh/ISIS terrorists numerous times, including in 10 suicide bombings, seven bombings, and four armed attacks.

These attacks killed 315 people, including 11 police officers and two soldiers -- and injured 137 civilians, 62 police officers and seven soldiers.

In response to these attacks, Turkey launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad.

In two cross-border military operations in Syria since 2016, Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch, Turkey neutralized 3,500 Daesh/ISIS terrorists and arrested 5,500.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.