PM slams US for defending secret PKK/PYD, Daesh alliance

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim slammed the U.S. for defending a secret deal between the PKK/PYD and Daesh to allow hundreds of terrorists to escape the besieged city of Syria's Raqqa

“The U.S. assisted in evacuating armed Daesh members from Raqqa instead of clearing them from Raqqa. At least 10 of the fifty trucks were loaded with heavy weapons, and the convoy evacuated Daesh terrorists from Raqqa. Siding with a terrorist organization for demolishing another terrorist organization is not the kind of work which should be done by states,” said Yıldırım during the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's parliamentary group meeting in Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday.

“The armed Daesh members who were set free from there will be the reason for the massacre of innocent people first and foremost in Turkey, Europe, America and across the globe. The cooperation of states against terrorist organizations is critical,” he added.

The BBC reported on Monday that a secret deal was struck between Daesh and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-backed force that consists largely of PKK/PYD terrorists. The British broadcaster said a huge convoy consisting of around 50 trucks, 13 buses and more than 100 Daesh vehicles left Raqqa for Daesh-controlled territory to the southeast. The report said that Daesh also withdrew at least 10 vehicles loaded with arms and ammunition, and the fighters included foreigners alongside Iraqis and Syrians.

“Daesh left with their weapons and now the PKK and YPG is stationed there. Is this your prudent policy? Is this your strategic cooperation? We are seeking to rid the region of terror. The people of the region suffer the consequences of these actions. You let the terrorists go, but we will find and neutralize them,” said Yıldırım.

A Pentagon spokesman defended the PKK/PYD deal to allow hundreds of Daesh terrorists to escape the besieged city of Raqqa saying it was a “local solution to a local issue.”

The PYD, the Syrian branch of the PKK, which has waged war against Turkey for more than 30 years, was among the U.S.-backed SDF to take Raqqa from Daesh. The U.S. has supported the SDF, which consists of the PKK/PYD and other groups, in fighting Daesh in Syria but has largely ignored its links to the PKK. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States.

The premier also commented on his recent trip to the U.S., where he met with Vice President Mike Pence at the White House on Thursday.

Yıldırım called for the extradition of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) leader Gülen and voiced concern over the U.S.’s continued support for the PKK/PYD group during his meeting with American vice president at the White House.

“We firmly told Pence that we were expecting a concrete step regarding the extradition of the FETÖ ringleader,” said Yıldırım.

Yildirim said that he urged his U.S. counterpart to end all FETÖ activities in the country.

FETÖ terrorists are led by U.S.-based Fetullah Gülen, who orchestrated Turkey's July 15 coup attempt and is the mastermind behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.