Yıldırım says will not allow PYD's fait accompli in Syria

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım spoke in a joint press conference following his meeting with Masoud Barzani, the president of the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), in his Erbil visit as part of renewing ties with both the Iraqi central and Erbil-centered regional governments.

“Terrorist organizations, not only Daesh but the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) are not just Turkey's issues, but our common problems with Iraq and Syria. We are carrying out an operation to wipe out Daesh elements from our southern borders. Our mutual goal is to completely eradicate the terrorist organization, which is the plague of all humanity," Prime Minister Yıldırım said.

Yıldırım also stressed Turkey's fight against the PKK, saying that the terror group's attacks on Turkey from its base in Iraq are unacceptable and his country will do whatever necessary.

“PKK terrorists cannot be allowed to harbor in Iraqi's Sinjar region. It is our security issue and common problem with both the regional and central Iraqi governments. Thus, we should act together," he said.

He also touched upon the PKK-affiliated Democratic Union Party's (PYD) sinister occupation campaign on Arab populated lands in Syria. In this regard, Yıldırım said that the PYD terrorist organization has uprooted Arabs and peshmerga in northern parts of Syria. However, Turkey cannot let a fait accompli of them who seized those lands.

“No matter how they changed their names, we clearly know them and what they are doing. They are the PKK's affiliates. They cannot change their essence by renaming. There is no difference between the PKK, PYD or the People's Protection Units (YPG)," he argued.

Additionally, Yıldırım thanked President Barzani over his support against FETÖ and reiterated Turkey's aim to rid all its elements.