Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 9
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Activation of the international terrorist organization Al Qaeda and the Syrian wing militants (PYD) of terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party is a threat to Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in an interview with Anadolu agency on Jan. 9.
Alien elements must leave Syria, the Foreign Minister said.
The Foreign Minister also stressed that Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups in Syria appeared at a time when the opposition had strengthened its position in the north of the country.
Davutoglu also said that there is a link between the Syrian regime and terrorist organizations.
During the conflict in Syria which began in March 2011, more than 115,000 people were killed in the country and over 4.2 million became refugees in Syrian territory and two million fled to neighboring countries. The main burden of receiving refugees lay on Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. The total population of Syria before the conflict amounted to 20 million.
Translated by M.L.
Edited C.N.