Turkish PM admits attacks on Syrian Kurds

November 1, 2015
Issue 
YPG fighters.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has confirmed that Turkish forces attacked Kurdish militia in northern Syria on October 25, on October 28.

The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) said the next day that its forces in the border town of Tal Abyad had come under machine-gun fire from across the frontier in Akcakale.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has confirmed that Turkish forces attacked Kurdish militia in northern Syria on October 25, on October 28.

The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) said the next day that its forces in the border town of Tal Abyad had come under machine-gun fire from across the frontier in Akcakale.

In an interview with ATV television late on October 26, Mr Davutoglu confirmed the attack. He said Turkey was enforcing its warning to the Democratic Union Party (PYD), of which the YPG is the armed wing, not to advance west of the Euphrates river 鈥 some 50 miles west of Tal Abyad.

鈥淲e said the PYD will not go west of the Euphrates and that we would hit it the moment it did. We hit it twice,鈥 Mr Davutoglu said. 鈥淭urkey cannot abandon its border, its fate, to any country.鈥

The PYD is ideologically aligned to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Turkey and the US have declared a terrorist group.

Like the article? Subscribe to 麻豆传媒 now! You can also us on Facebook and on Twitter.

You need 麻豆传媒, and we need you!

麻豆传媒 is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.