Bahçeli: SDF Manbij offensive 'imperialist conspiracy'

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli claimed on Tuesday that the operation by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is dominated by People's Protection Units (YPG) soldiers, in order to drive DAESH from Manbij is an "imperialist conspiracy."

"The foreign minister, by saying that after the termination of the operation, we do not want a single member from the YPG to be west of the Euphrates, confessed that all of Turkey's red lines have been violated. DAESH is the twin of the YPG, the other face of the Democratic Union Party [PYD] and PKK. The games being played around us should be realized, [and] should collectively be acted [upon]," Bahçeli claimed.

Bahçeli was speaking at his party's group meeting where he reacted to the German parliament's decision to define the 1915 incidents as a genocide against Armenians and other Christian minority populations. Bahçeli said: "The claim of the so-called genocide is impudent slander and distortion. The deportation of Armenians was to protect the government and was right all the way. During the relocation, 1.5 million Armenians did not die. The deportation was a brilliant political decision that saved a hundred years of Turkish land. It is to the point, it would be inevitable if it were to happen today," he said, adding: "The unionist cadres of the time did their duties with a nationalist consciousness. We support them, and I believe God supports them, as well." Bahçeli said that immediate transformation and regulation is urgently needed in the country's foreign policy: "It is a must for Turkey to aim for peace at home and peace in the world, to form good relationships with neighbors and not damage its national interests in every aspect."