The leaders of Turkey and the United States touted strong ties between the NATO allies on Tuesday but the Turkish president emphasised his country will not accept Syrian Kurdish fighters in the region while stopping short of directly criticising a US decision to arm them.
President Donald Trump lauded visiting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan at the White House as an important ally in the “fight against terrorism” and did not mention Erdogan’s domestic crackdown after last year’s failed coup attempt.
Erdogan said his visit would “mark a historical turn of tide” and hailed “outstanding relations” between the nations. It was an especially positive tone considering the tensions over Washington’s decision to arm the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia that Ankara regards as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
“There is no place for the terrorist organisations in the future of our region,” said Erdogan, speaking through a translator. He added that the activities of the YPG and its political arm in the region, the PYD, “will never be accepted”.
US officials on May 9 disclosed Trump’s approval of plans to supply the YPG as it advances toward the Daesh stronghold of Raqqa in Syria.
Turkey has been a crucial partner in the US-led coalition against Daesh forces. The US alliance with Turkey has proven pivotal in the battle against Daesh in Syria, providing the coalition with access to Turkey’s Incirlik air base to wage strikes against the militants.
