Erdoğan signals operation in northern Syria

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered journalists' questions on the plane returning from his visit to Egypt, where he had gone for the D-8 Summit.

Making assessments regarding the latest developments in Syria, Erdoğan signaled a cross-border operation against the terrorist organization PKK/PYD located in northern Syria.

Erdoğan's words, "We will also show that the time has come for the existing terrorist organizations in Syria to be neutralized. We will do this to ensure that no threat comes from the south of our borders from now on. Because it is impossible for us to accept such a risk," were interpreted as a message of an operation.

Highlights from Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

The hopes of the PKK/YPG have been dashed. Assad's expectations were different, but these did not materialize. A new picture has emerged. The fact that Assad is currently in Russia is proof of how significantly the situation has developed. In the coming period, our brothers in Syria will make decisions about their own future themselves. We will also try to assist them regarding how the state structure should be.

We will help the Syrian administration on how our experiences can be transferred there and how a state can be built within the framework of a new social contract. One of the most important steps in building a state is the construction of a constitution.

In this regard, we have initiated communication with the names involved in the new Syrian administration, primarily Mr. Jolani. As you know, we sent our Head of the National Intelligence Organization. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs has already been in dialogue with all relevant parties on the matter from the very beginning.

"WE WILL DO THIS TO ENSURE THAT NO THREAT COMES FROM NOW ON"

We will also show that the time has come for the existing terrorist organizations in Syria to be neutralized. We will do this to ensure that no threat comes from the south of our borders from now on. Because it is impossible for us to accept such a risk.

Since the only goal of the terrorist organization is to please the centers they serve, they are doomed to be alone. This was the case yesterday, and it is the same today... But they will have no tomorrow. The end of the road is in sight for the terrorist organization. For years, they made life miserable for the peoples in our region. They made life a living hell for Kurds, Turks, Arabs, Yazidis, and many others, especially our Kurdish brothers. There is no place for terrorists in the future of the region.

In particular, the shelf life of the PKK terrorist organization and its extensions has expired. The environment of security to be established in Syria will also prevent terrorist organizations from recruiting militants. From now on, the paths are open for the establishment of peace and tranquility in our region.

Some political parties in our country were making different statements regarding relations with Syria until recently. Now, they are probably not in a position to say the same things. All their hopes have also been dashed. If Syria truly establishes a stable structure with this new formation, it will, in my opinion, take a very strong place in the Islamic world. A Syria with a population of over 30 million today cannot be ignored.

The meetings we will hold with the United States with Mr. Donald Trump taking office are very important. The Russians say they are not thinking of closing their embassies and consulates general in Syria. This, in my opinion, is an asset for Syria. There is benefit in the continuation of diplomatic missions.

One of the things that makes me happiest is that many countries, both from the Islamic World and the West, are now developing their contacts with Mr. Jolani. These are also, in a way, signs of trust in the new administration. In the new era, Syria will hopefully rise again in a much different way."