Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug.17/ Trend, A.Taghiyeva /
If the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Syria will become a threat to Turkey, Ankara may launch an operation against it in Syria, the Zaman newspaper quotes Turkish President Abdullah Gul as saying.
"Turkey is observing the situation in the north of Syria. If the existence of the PKK in Syria will become a threat to Turkey, we can interfere and start the necessary operation," Gul said.
While answering a question on weapon supply to PKK militants by the Syrian regime, President Gul said he does not rule it out, as Assad is able to do everything possible to destabilize the region at this stage.
Gul also said that the Kurds like all the people of the region have the right to self-determination and freedom in the country where they live. But it is necessary to distinguish among peaceful Kurds and the PKK terrorists.
Anti-government protests have continued in Syria for about 17 months.
According to UN, the total number of victims of the conflict in Syria has exceeded 17,000 people. About 230,000 people became refugees. About three million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. The Syrian authorities say that they oppose the well-armed militants.