President Erdogan calls on NATO to 'do its part'
Politics |
President says Turkey exercising self-defense in bombing raids on Daesh and Kurdish militants
Turkey's president on Tuesday called on NATO to do its part in helping address the countrys concerns over security on its borders.
Speaking before a flight to China, Recep Tayyip Erdogan told journalists at Ankaras Esenboga Airport: In case of any NATO member being attacked, NATO has to give support to this member country. Turkey, which is currently being attacked, is now exercising its right to self-defense and security and will continue to use it.
We are using our rights under international law and will continue to use them. It is NATO's duty, which is why we demand NATO be prepared in this regard.
Last week, Turkey launched airstrikes against Daesh targets in Syria and Kurdish rebel camps in Iraq. Turkey has been hit by violence since a suicide bomb attack by a suspected Daesh supporter killed 32 activists in the southern town of Suruc on July 20.
More than 1,000 suspected Daesh, Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) supporters have been arrested since July 24.
Erdogan was speaking as NATO ambassadors met in Brussels following Ankaras call for an emergency meeting under Article 4 of the alliances charter, which provides for consultation if the territorial integrity, political independence or security of a member is threatened.
He added: I expect NATO will declare its readiness to take steps to do its part.
Erdogan did not specify what steps he expected Turkeys 27 NATO allies to take.
On Friday night, Turkish F-16 jets bombed PKK camps in northern Iraq for the first time in more than two years. The group is considered a terrorist organization in Turkey, the EU and U.S. but has been in talks with the government since 2013.
The evening also saw bombing raids on Daesh positions in Syria and on Sunday further attacks were carried out against the PKK in Turkey and Iraq.
Many observers fear the attacks on the PKK will endanger the solution process to end Turkeys 30-year conflict with the Kurdish militants.
"It is not possible to take a step back," Erdogan said, referring to the unrest in Turkey that has included disruption and arrests in major cities as well as deadly attacks on the security forces.
Touching on the talks, Erdogan claimed the solution process had been abused and seriously damaged.
"I am under the impression that it is not possible to maintain the solution process with those who want to damage national unity and brotherhood in this country," he said.
Anadolu Agency
Speaking before a flight to China, Recep Tayyip Erdogan told journalists at Ankaras Esenboga Airport: In case of any NATO member being attacked, NATO has to give support to this member country. Turkey, which is currently being attacked, is now exercising its right to self-defense and security and will continue to use it.
We are using our rights under international law and will continue to use them. It is NATO's duty, which is why we demand NATO be prepared in this regard.
Last week, Turkey launched airstrikes against Daesh targets in Syria and Kurdish rebel camps in Iraq. Turkey has been hit by violence since a suicide bomb attack by a suspected Daesh supporter killed 32 activists in the southern town of Suruc on July 20.
More than 1,000 suspected Daesh, Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) supporters have been arrested since July 24.
Erdogan was speaking as NATO ambassadors met in Brussels following Ankaras call for an emergency meeting under Article 4 of the alliances charter, which provides for consultation if the territorial integrity, political independence or security of a member is threatened.
He added: I expect NATO will declare its readiness to take steps to do its part.
Erdogan did not specify what steps he expected Turkeys 27 NATO allies to take.
On Friday night, Turkish F-16 jets bombed PKK camps in northern Iraq for the first time in more than two years. The group is considered a terrorist organization in Turkey, the EU and U.S. but has been in talks with the government since 2013.
The evening also saw bombing raids on Daesh positions in Syria and on Sunday further attacks were carried out against the PKK in Turkey and Iraq.
Many observers fear the attacks on the PKK will endanger the solution process to end Turkeys 30-year conflict with the Kurdish militants.
"It is not possible to take a step back," Erdogan said, referring to the unrest in Turkey that has included disruption and arrests in major cities as well as deadly attacks on the security forces.
Touching on the talks, Erdogan claimed the solution process had been abused and seriously damaged.
"I am under the impression that it is not possible to maintain the solution process with those who want to damage national unity and brotherhood in this country," he said.
Anadolu Agency
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