Foreign Ministry ‘astonished’ by Washington’s remarks on PYD

The Foreign Ministry strongly criticized the U.S. State Department's recent remarks that it does not consider the Democratic Union Party (PYD) or its armed People's Protection Units (YPG) to be terrorist organizations on Monday. During a press briefing Foreign Ministry's spokesman Tanju Bilgiç said that it is highly astonishing that the U.S. places Turkey in the same equation as a terrorist organization, referring to the Syrian PKK affiliate PYD.

Bilgiç strongly criticized the statements from U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby and said Ankara has expressed its concerns at the highest level. "We are astonished over Kirby's statements, which placed its ally Turkey in the same equation as the PYD terrorist organization. Turkey has long been struggling with terrorism and its devoted efforts against terrorism are already evident. Turkey's stance against an organization, especially like the PYD, which has ties with the Qandil Mountains, is evident."

He said that Turkey will continue to firmly respond to any YPG attacks at the Syria border under its rules of engagement. Bilgiç further dismissed claims that Saudi fighter jets were landing at Turkey's İncirlik Air Base. In regard to NATO's involvement in the refugee crisis, Bilgiç said a two-way approach has been agreed to in order to tackle illegal crossings on the Aegean Sea.

Bilgiç re-affirmed that the Turkish military responded to YPG assaults within the rules of engagement as a result of mortars coming from Syria. Explaining that the incidents are dynamic and that developments may occur at any moment, he said: "We have rules of engagement that are already known by all. There is no difference between [Syrian leader Bashar] Assad's regime, the PYD, PKK or DAESH to us, we will respond to any kind of attacks that comes from any foreign sides."

The Foreign Ministry announced that Saudi jets will arrive at İncirlik Air Base in the near future as part of the U.S.-led international coalition. In addition, Bilgiç said that there are some Saudi jets currently in Turkey for air defense training that will be conducted from Feb. 15 until Feb. 19.