Turkey to start military operations at border: Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reveals plans to conduct operations on the border and discusses NATO expansionism.
-
Erdogan: Turkey to start operations at the border
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Monday that Turkey will begin military operations at the country’s borders to establish 30 km deep buffer zones, adding that the final decision will be made soon.
In the meantime, Turkey is conducting an operation against the Kurdistan Worker’s Party in northern Iraq.
"We will continue securing our borders amid the ongoing attacks. New operations will be launched on our borders soon, and appropriate decisions will be made at a meeting of the Security Council," Erdogan claimed in his address to the nation.
No hostile position to NATO alliance
Erdogan stressed that Turkey’s position on the expansion of NATO is not hostile to the alliance, adding that Ankara focuses on the fight against terrorism.
Read more: Turkey to 'block' Sweden, Finland NATO membership
"If countries wishing to join NATO turn their eyes to their history, they will see that Turkey’s struggle against the threat emanating from the East has a great contribution and significance for them. Our position on NATO expansion is based not on hostility towards the alliance, but on our clear position on the fight against terror," Erdogan said in his statement.
Turkey could conditionally change position on NATO expansion
Regarding Finland and Sweden's NATO membership, Erdogan affirmed that Turkey will do its part if issues that concern Ankara are addressed.
"I emphasize once again: those who support and protect terrorists must reconsider their illegal, arrogant stance, which they demonstrate towards us. If we see concrete changes on the issues that concern us, let no one doubt that we will fulfill what is dependent on us," the Turkish President stressed.
Turkish president writes off Greek premier over his remarks in US
The Greek premier’s comments on Turkiye on an official visit to the US have made him a nonentity in his eyes, said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.
After chairing a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said that in light of the Greek leader’s remarks, Turkiye is calling off a Strategic Council Meeting with Greece.
