Turkey's presidential spokesperson discusses Syria with US' Sullivan

Photos: AA/File

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Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın yesterday (May 30) spoke over the phone with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Both parties released written statements after the conversation that came amid Turkey's preparations for a new military operation in Syria.

According to the statement released by Turkey's Presidency, bilateral relations, NATO membership bids of Sweden and Finland, global food security, energy security, fight against terrorism, the Russia-Ukraine war, Syria and other regional issues were discussed.

"The PKK/PYD/YPG terrorist organization continued to pose a threat to Turkey's national security and Syria's territorial integrity," said the Presidency, referring to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and the Syria-based Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its armed wing, the People's Protection Units (YPG).

Turkey considers all three as branches of the same "terrorist" organization. The US, on the other hand, has backed the Syria-based groups while keeping the PKK on its "terror groups" list.

The White House statement about the conversation said, "They discussed their ongoing support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's continued aggression, as well as their respective efforts to enable Ukrainian agricultural exports to reach global markets.

"Mr. Sullivan expressed support for Turkey's continued direct talks with Sweden and Finland to resolve concerns over their applications for NATO membership, which the U.S. strongly supports.

"He also reiterated the importance of refraining from escalation in Syria to preserve existing ceasefire lines and avoid any further destabilization."

What happened?

President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on May 23 that Turkey would take steps to "resume its work to create 30-kilometer deep safe zones" in Syria.

"The areas that are the center of frequent attacks on our country and our safe zones are top of operational priority for us.

"As soon as our Turkish Armed Forces, security forces, and intelligence complete their preparations, these operations will begin.

"We will take our decisions at the National Security Council meeting to be held on Thursday [May 26]," he said.

Yet, the NSC made no direct reference to a new military offensive in Syria after its meeting.

On May 24, Ned Price, the spokesperson of the US Department of State, said Turkey's plans to take control of more areas in Syria would "further undermine regional stability."

He said the US wants the lines of ceasefire in the area to be maintained and expects Turkey to adhere to a joint statement in October 2019, during Turkey's "Operation Peace Spring" targeting YPG-controlled areas in northeast Syria.

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(SD/VK)