Turkey's permanent representative to the United Nations, Sedat Onal, affirmed his country's commitment to take necessary steps to eliminate the threat posed by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria and to protect its citizens and borders. In a speech during a session at the United Nations Security Council regarding the latest political and humanitarian developments related to Syria on Thursday, Onal stated that the YPG, the Syrian arm of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Turkey designates as a terrorist organization, threatens not only regional stability and security in Syria but also Turkey's national security interests.
He mentioned that the YPG had carried out 67 attacks from Tel Rifat and Manbij in northern Syria against Turkey and areas controlled by Ankara-backed militants in Syria since the beginning of the current year. Onal added, "Turkey is determined to take all necessary steps to eliminate the threat posed by the PKK/YPG terrorist organization and safeguard its citizens and borders, in accordance with its obligations under international law and international humanitarian law." He also pointed out that the Astana talks on Syria held last week emphasized the necessity of maintaining Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty, highlighting the importance of combating separatist agendas and manifestations of terrorism in all its forms.
