The Iranian Ambassador to Turkey Ali Reza Bikdeli said that the formation of a Kurdish state in Northern Syria poses a threat to Turkey, while he highlighted that Iran and Turkey should cooperate to protect the territorial integrity of Syria.
Speaking at a fast-breaking (iftar) dinner held in Ankara on Saturday, Bikdeli urged both countries to take joint action to prevent further instability in the region. He noted that the establishment of a "Kurdish corridor" is dangerous and called it a conspiracy against Turkey.
"We should provide assistance for the establishment of peace and stability in Syria, and to start dialogue" Bikdeli said, adding that it is a positive aspect that both Turkey and Iran emphasize protecting the territorial integrity of Syria. He noted that failure to do so would have negative consequences for Syria, its Sunni neighbors and Iran.
The Iranian ambassador highlighted that Turkey has a high capacity to contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in Syria.
Turkey has expressed alarm over a stretching corridor of Kurdish-controlled territory on Turkey's doorstep, a danger that emerged when the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its People's Protection Units (YPG) captured the border town of Tal Abyad from ISIS, combining the cantons controlled by the PYD that run along the Turkish border.
The Kurdish advance that was backed by Syrian opposition forces on the ground and U.S-led airstrikes, handed over the control of ISIS to PYD forces in less than a week, and the capture became a matter of concern for Ankara, which claims there is an intentional demographic change in the domain supported by the U.S-led coalition.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has underscored that Turkey will not allow a new state to be founded in Turkey's southern south and in northern Syria.
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