Principled anti-terror approach must continue: Turkey

In the wake of the killing of the Daesh/ISIS terror group leader in a U.S. operation, Turkey’s ruling party Monday said the “same principled attitude” must continue against all terror groups.

“The Daesh/ISIS leader's death is a turning point in the fight against terrorism,” said Omer Celik, a spokesman for the Justice and Development (AK) Party. “We hope the same principled approach will continue against all terrorist groups.”

“The presence of the YPG/PKK terror group in Syria is not weakening Daesh/ISIS, but allowing it to find room to grow,” he added.

The invitation of a top YPG/PKK terrorist to the U.S. just after the Daesh leader's killing is a major contradiction in counter-terrorism efforts, the spokesman added, referring to U.S. senators urging teh Trump administration to invite YPG/PKK ringleader Ferhat Abdi Sahin, code-named Mazloum Kobani, to visit Washington.

An Interpol red notice has been issued for Sahin, and Turkey is seeking his extradition.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Daesh's former leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s death Sunday following a special operations mission into northwestern Syria.

Celik also urged all countries to stem the harassment of Turkish people by terror groups amid attacks by YPG/PKK supporters in Europe.