Erdogan’s statements came during an interview with the Turkish government network “TRT”, hours after the candidate who finished third in the Turkish elections, Sinan Ogan, announced that he would support Erdogan against the candidate of the opposition, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, during the race. -disabled.
Operations against the Kurds continue
Erdogan said that “the withdrawal of the Turkish army from northern Syria will constitute a security weakness”. He added: “Our operations against terrorist organizations are continuing and we will not back down from this.”
The Turkish president had declared a few days ago in press releases that his forces are in Syria to fight against terrorism, stressing that he is open to meeting the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, if the latter agrees to fight the Kurdish People’s Protection Units in northern Syria, which Ankara sees as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party.
These statements could hamper ongoing talks between Ankara and Damascus to restore relations after years of estrangement due to the civil war.
Syria demands the total withdrawal of the Turkish army from Syrian territory to restore relations with Ankara to normal.
However, these statements may be satisfying to Ogan and his base of supporters, who see the fight against terrorism as a red line, in reference to Kurdish forces in northern Syria.
repatriation of refugees
On the issue of refugees, Erdogan said, “We are working to return refugees safely in a short period of time.”
Erdogan’s statements regarding the refugees came hours after Ogan announced he would support him in the second round of Turkey’s presidential elections scheduled for May 28.
At a press conference in Ankara, Ogan stressed the need to expel the refugees from Turkey, considering it a matter of national security.
He stressed the importance of having a timetable for the return of refugees to their country.
It seems that Erdogan, with his recent statements on refugees, is trying to woo Ogan’s ultra-nationalist base.
defensive record
Regarding the defense file, Erdogan said: “Our projects in the field of defense industries are aimed at stability and independence”.
He added: “The West is attacking us because we manufacture our own weapons and ammunition.
Ogan had also spoken in his press conference about the importance of pursuing Turkish defense industries.
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