Germany backs Turkey’s drive against IS, Kurds

Author: app/afp

BERLIN: Germany on Wednesday said that it supported both the Turkish operation in Syria to drive out Islamic State militants and Ankara’s targeting of Kurdish militia fighters at the border.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Martin Schaefer told reporters that the Turkish air and ground offensive in a key Syrian border town was ‘in keeping with the goals and aims of the anti-IS coalition’.

He added that Berlin would not condemn Ankara’s action against Kurdish fighters – who are backed by the US as a key ally against IS. “We respect that and think that Turkey has the legitimate right to take action against these terrorist activities. Hence we support Turkey on this,” he said.

“Turkey, rightly or wrongly, believes that there are links between the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), which we see as a terror organisation, on the Turkish side and elements among the Kurds on the Syrian side,” Schaefer said.

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