Threat in Syria to Turkey, not US or Russia

The US and Russia are located geographically far away from the threats coming from north Syria and therefore, their actions will differ from the ones undertaken by Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said.
Speaking to the press, ahead of his departure to the "Belt and Road" forum in China, Erdoğan said the US backing of Kurdish groups in Syria was affecting the relations between Ankara and Washington. He added that the groups were an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
"There is no threat to either the US or Russia in this region. The threat is against us and their own people, so what is it to others? If they want to do us a favour, we are allies with the US in NATO,” Erdoğan said, quoted by Turkish media.
The Turkish President said that he would bring up the subject during his upcoming meeting with US counterpart Donald Trump in Washington on May 16, stressing that Turkey will continue to fight "terror" groups within its borders and abroad.”
The President also said that he would renew his calls for handing over the leader of the Gulen movement, Mohammed Fethullah Gulen, during his visit to Washington.
Ankara accuses the religious figure of masterminding the failed coup d’état in July last year.
On May 25, Erdoğan will be visiting the NATO headquarters in Belgium where will attend the organization's summit.
In China, the Turkish leader will be attending the "One Belt, One Road" economic forum which will gather leaders of 28 countries.
The forum, launched by China in 2013, focuses on boosting commercial ties amongst countries in Southeast and Central Asia in addition to Europe.
 

Source: BNA