US presence in Syria is a 'direct threat' to Turkey, says İbrahim Karagül

İbrahim Karagül

‘Syria’s territory is being threatened but this is also a direct threat to Turkey. US plans were ruined with the Afrin operation,’ says Yeni Şafak daily and TVNET Editor-In-Chief

Yeni Şafak and TVNET Editor-In-Chief İbrahim Karagül evaluated European and regional developments, focusing on the ongoing Operation Olive Branch, from the Turkey-Syria border on Monday.

“We are liberating the lands occupied by the PKK and returning it to their true owners. However we are faced not with the PKK. This is not a PKK project, but rather a U.S. project. Whoever planned July 15 is the enemy in front of us. July 15 was not a coup, it was an overt intervention,” Karagül said.

“The PKK is an intervention in Syria. It is widely known that Turkey is fighting against the U.S. in this region. The PKK is attacking using U.S. weapons and missiles. This is a homeland defense. We will also carry out a homeland defense in Manbij. Syria’s territory is being threatened, but this is also a direct threat to Turkey. U.S. plans were ruined with the Afrin operation,” he added.

U.S. presence in Syria is a “direct threat” to Turkey

“They will not be able to stop Turkey in Afrin or Manbij. That is why they are trying to save the west of the Euphrates. The U.S. and Turkey will not work as partners, because the U.S. presence here is a direct threat to Turkey,” Karagül said.

“The threat is clearly coming from the U.S. Our greatest struggle will occur east of the Euphrates. That’s where all hell will break loose. Within one or two years, the U.S. will have to withdraw. The U.S. is withdrawing from the north. The U.S. is withdrawing to the UAE-Egypt axis,” he added.

Operation Olive Branch was initiated on Jan. 20 in Afrin to establish security and stability, eliminate PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists, and save locals from their oppression and cruelty.

A total of 1,369 PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh terrorists have been neutralized since the launch of Operation Olive Branch in Syria's Afrin region, the military said on Monday. The Turkish General Staff said that Turkish Armed Forces' overnight airstrikes had destroyed 15 terrorist targets used for shelter as well as ammunition depots, and weapon pits.