Turkey will continue to take all necessary measures to protect its national security and its borders, said presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin
Turkey said Saturday that it will respond to any kind of terror threat coming from the soil of Syria or any other country.
Turkey will continue to take all necessary measures to protect its national security and its borders, said presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, referring to recent harassment fire on Turkish forces from the PKK/PYD-held area of Afrin, northwestern Syria.
His comments followed Turkey deploying military troops to the border near Afrin last week.
"Any threat that may come from Syria or another country towards Turkey -- this could be from Daesh, the [PKK] PYD/YPG, whatever terrorist organization it is from -- Turkey responds immediately with all reprisals," he said.
Turkey considers the PYD/YPG to be the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, a designated terrorist organization in Turkey, the U.S. and EU.
More than 1,200 victims, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives in PKK attacks in Turkey since the terror group resumed its decades-old campaign in July 2015.
Turkey is set to continue its efforts aimed at reducing Qatar tensions following the Gulf dispute that broke out earlier this month, according to Kalın who emphasized the role the Turkish air base in Qatar will play in providing regional security.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, along with Egypt, cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing Doha of supporting "extremism" and their regional ally Iran - charges that Qatar has repeatedly denied.
Speaking to members of the press, Kalın has reiterated the Turkish government’s stance regarding the situation in Syria, stressing that Turkey will "do whatever it takes to protect its national security in the face of any terrorist organization."
Kalın also addressed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s telephone conversation with his American counterpart, saying that the two leaders discussed the importance of working to sustain Syria’s de-escalation zones, in addition to the need to hold a third round of the Astana peace talks.
According to Kalın, Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s stance in regards to sending arms to PKK/PYD terrorists in Syria, stressing that there has been no change in the Turkish position on this matter.
"Our aim is to halt clashes, provide humanitarian aid and work on a process of political transition in Syria. We could never accept any support given to the YPG. Our position will remain the same even after the Raqqa operation," concluded Kalın.
