Donald Trump Warns Turkey Against Misadventure in Syria, Threatens to 'Obliterate' Turkish Economy if Erdogan Regime Acts 'Off Limits'
His remarks came a day after the Recep Tayyip Erdogan government warned an overnight offensive against the YPG forces of Kurdish populace. Istanbul considers the militant Kurds as "terrorists", whereas, the Washington considers the YPG as a "freedom movement" against the Bashar-al-Assad regime.
Washington, October 7: Sharpening his rhetoric against Turkey, United States President Donald Trump threatened to obliterate the country's economy if it resorts to any misadventure in Syria. His remarks came a day after the Recep Tayyip Erdogan government warned an overnight offensive against the YPG forces of Kurdish populace. Ankara considers the militant Kurds as "terrorists", whereas, Washington considers the YPG as a "freedom movement" against the Bashar-al-Assad regime. Deep-Rooted Turkey-Pakistan Nuclear Links Behind Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Anti-India Stance?
"As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey," Trump said.
Further, the President said Turkey and other European nations should formulate a joint strategy to deal with the captured ISIS soldiers and their families, rather than re-igniting the war in Syria.
"They must, with Europe and others, watch over the captured ISIS fighters and families. The U.S. has done far more than anyone could have ever expected, including the capture of 100 per cent of the ISIS Caliphate. It is time now for others in the region, some of great wealth, to protect their own territory. THE USA IS GREAT! (sic)," he added.
Tweet by Donald Trump:
The Kurdish militias have gained significant control in areas bordering with Turkey, and are allegedly supporting the Marxist PKK group in their uprising against Erdogan.
At the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Erdogan had warned world leaders against turning a blind eye over the "terrorist activities" being undertaken by the YPG in parts of Syria and Turkey. Addressing the reporters in New York, he had said that Turkey will have to take "definite military action" against them.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 07, 2019 09:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).