Erdogan Says he
has Evidence US-led Coalition has Given Support to Isis
The Turkish leader made the claim while talking to
reporters in Ankara
By Andrew Buncombe
December 27, 2016
"Information
Clearing House"
- "The
Independent"
-
The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he has
uncovered evidence that US-led coalition forces have
helped support terrorists in Syria – including Isis.
American-led
forces have been working alongside Syrian rebels
fighting President Bashar al-Assad but have attempted to
avoid helping Isis and other Islamist militant groups.
However,
speaking on Tuesday in the Turkish capital, Ankara, he
said he believed they had given support to a variety of
militant groups, inclding Isis Kurdish outfits YPG and
PYD.
“They were
accusing us of supporting Daesh [Islamic State],” he
told a press conference, according to Reuters.
“Now they give
support to terrorist groups including Daesh, YPG, PYD.
It's very clear. We have confirmed evidence, with
pictures, photos and videos.”
Mr Erdogan also
said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia and Qatar should join
its meeting with Russia and Iran to discuss Syrian peace
efforts.
Russia, Turkey
and Iran, which helped broker the withdrawal of
civilians and militants from the Syrian city of Aleppo,
have agreed to hold talks on Syria in Kazakhstan next
month.
The Associated
Press said Mr Erdogan said the meeting of foreign
ministers should include Saudi Arabia and Qatar, saying
they had “shown goodwill and given support” to Syria.
Turkey, Saudi
Arabia and Qatar are the main backers of rebels seeking
to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad, who is closely
allied with Moscow and Tehran.
The views
expressed in this article are the author's own and do
not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House
editorial policy. |
