PM: Turkey to take more active role in Syria conflict
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 20 August 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, PM: Turkey to take more active role in Syria conflict, 20 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57db9a2513.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 20, 2016
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim (file photo)
Turkish Prime Binali Yildirim says Ankara will take a more active role in addressing the conflict in Syria in the next six months to prevent the country from splintering along ethnic lines.
"Turkey we will be more active in the Syria issue in the coming six months as a regional player. This means to not allow Syria to be divided on any ethnic base, for Turkey this is crucial," Yildirim said at a news conference in Istanbul.
Yildirim also said that President Bashar al-Assad may have a role in the transitional period but not in Syria's future.
Kurdish groups have begun carving out their own regions in Syria as they are fighting groups from Syria's Arab majority seeking to overthrow Assad.
Turkey is afraid that strong Kurdish militant groups in Syria will encourage its own Kurdish insurgency.
Yildirim also ruled out any new peace initiative with Turkey's outlawed Kurdish rebels saying Ankara would not "enter into a dialogue with a terror organization."
The Kurdistan Workers' Party has intensified its bomb attacks against the police and military, killing more than a dozen people in attacks this week.
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
