Baku, Azerbaijan, June 14
By Rufiz Khafizoglu - Trend:
Turkey won't allow formation of new states in neighboring Syria, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said, TRT Haber TV channel reported June 14.
He said that the formation of new states in the north of Syria harms the interests of Ankara and is a threat to Turkey's security as well.
The prime minister also stressed that Turkey is ready to make every effort to ensure security of the state and its citizens.
Yildirim noted that the Syrian wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist group operates in the north of Syria under the slogan of the liberation movement.
Earlier, Yildirim said that following successful operations against the PKK terrorist group in several southeastern provinces of Turkey, PKK militants signaled their intention to lay down arms. Yildirim added that Turkey will continue military operations against the PKK until the terrorist group is completely destroyed.
Turkey's current priority is internal stability and security of its citizens, Yildirim said.
The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has continued for over 25 years and has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The UN and the European Union listed the PKK as a terrorist organization.
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