Posted on Oct 11, 2016
Turkey slams Clinton for hinting support to Syrian Kurds
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ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Tuesday criticized U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for comments suggesting that she would consider providing arms to support Kurdish fighters in Syria.
For the United States, the Syrian Kurdish militia is the most effective force against the Islamic State group in Syria, but Turkey considers the force a terror organization because of its affiliation to Turkey's outlawed Kurdish rebels. Turkey strongly objects to U.S. moves to supply the group with weapons saying they often end up in the hands of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which has been fighting an insurgency since 1984.
The issue has strained relations between the two NATO allies.
Clinton said during Sunday's debate with Donald Trump that she favored continuing the Obama administration's policy of funneling weapons to Iraq's Kurdish armed forces and also hinted that she would consider extending that support to Syrian Kurdish fighters. Trump had nothing to say regarding the Kurds during the debate, but in July he called himself "a big fan of the Kurds."
Clinton's comments prompted an angry response from Yildirim, who questioned the "morality" of "fighting a terrorist organization with another terrorist organization."
"Isn't America our ally? Isn't it our NATO ally? Isn't it our ally in the region? What does it mean to support weapons with weapons?" Yildirim asked.
He added: "Where in the world have you ever seen this? How moral is it, how ethical is it, how right is it to fight a terrorist organization with another terrorist organization, to defeat a terrorist organization with another terrorist organization?"
In the debate, Clinton said: "I would consider arming the Kurds. The Kurds have been our best partners in Syria, as well as Iraq. And I know there's a lot of concern about that in some circles, but they should have the equipment they need so that Kurdish and Arab fighters on the ground are the principal way we take Raqqa after pushing ISIS out of Iraq."
The Turkish government is also frustrated by what it regards as U.S. reluctance to arrest and extradite U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Turkey of being behind the failed military coup in July.
Gulen has denied any involvement in the attempted overthrow, while U.S. officials are urging Turkey to allow the legal process against Gulen to take its course.
The Turkish government is also frustrated by what it regards as U.S. reluctance to arrest and extradite U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Turkey of being behind the failed military coup in July.
Gulen has denied any involvement in the attempted overthrow, while U.S. officials are urging Turkey to allow the legal process against Gulen to take its course.
For the United States, the Syrian Kurdish militia is the most effective force against the Islamic State group in Syria, but Turkey considers the force a terror organization because of its affiliation to Turkey's outlawed Kurdish rebels. Turkey strongly objects to U.S. moves to supply the group with weapons saying they often end up in the hands of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which has been fighting an insurgency since 1984.
The issue has strained relations between the two NATO allies.
Clinton said during Sunday's debate with Donald Trump that she favored continuing the Obama administration's policy of funneling weapons to Iraq's Kurdish armed forces and also hinted that she would consider extending that support to Syrian Kurdish fighters. Trump had nothing to say regarding the Kurds during the debate, but in July he called himself "a big fan of the Kurds."
Clinton's comments prompted an angry response from Yildirim, who questioned the "morality" of "fighting a terrorist organization with another terrorist organization."
"Isn't America our ally? Isn't it our NATO ally? Isn't it our ally in the region? What does it mean to support weapons with weapons?" Yildirim asked.
He added: "Where in the world have you ever seen this? How moral is it, how ethical is it, how right is it to fight a terrorist organization with another terrorist organization, to defeat a terrorist organization with another terrorist organization?"
In the debate, Clinton said: "I would consider arming the Kurds. The Kurds have been our best partners in Syria, as well as Iraq. And I know there's a lot of concern about that in some circles, but they should have the equipment they need so that Kurdish and Arab fighters on the ground are the principal way we take Raqqa after pushing ISIS out of Iraq."
The Turkish government is also frustrated by what it regards as U.S. reluctance to arrest and extradite U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Turkey of being behind the failed military coup in July.
Gulen has denied any involvement in the attempted overthrow, while U.S. officials are urging Turkey to allow the legal process against Gulen to take its course.
The Turkish government is also frustrated by what it regards as U.S. reluctance to arrest and extradite U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, accused by Turkey of being behind the failed military coup in July.
Gulen has denied any involvement in the attempted overthrow, while U.S. officials are urging Turkey to allow the legal process against Gulen to take its course.
Turkey slams Clinton for hinting support to Syrian Kurds
Posted from militarytimes.com
Turkey
Kurds
Hillary Clinton
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 6
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We should tell the Kurds the keep what they hold & recognize 'em. The Turks aren't good allies & i'd bet the Israelis would work a deal to homebase whatever is at Incirlik.
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Not much sunrise that Turkey's leaders were outraged at Hillary's contention that she would consider providing arms to support Kurdish fighters in Syria SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL.
I don't agree with much of what she stands for but i support a free Kurdistan especially since they have been our most stalwart allies in the region.
I don't agree with much of what she stands for but i support a free Kurdistan especially since they have been our most stalwart allies in the region.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
LTC Stephen F. well said, the Kurdistan are some freedom fighters and they have the backing of coalition forces. Well said and profoundly conveyed.
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"Clinton's comments prompted an angry response from Yildirim, who questioned the "morality" of "fighting a terrorist organization with another terrorist organization."
"Isn't America our ally? Isn't it our NATO ally? Isn't it our ally in the region? What does it mean to support weapons with weapons?" Yildirim asked.
1. Morals in politics? Does he feel any stupider for saying that? Clinton and Morals...I'll have another Root Beer on that BS. Bartender make it a double with Bryer's homemade vanilla since Trump said "he was a fan of someone or something that isn't named Putin.
2.What does it mean? Can you not read, hear, or see? If you can she just told you your place in the pecking order. The enemy of my enemy is my friend....with Clinton and Trump, you have no idea which is which.
BTW....can you keep the power on this time? Regime change is only a drone call away.
"Isn't America our ally? Isn't it our NATO ally? Isn't it our ally in the region? What does it mean to support weapons with weapons?" Yildirim asked.
1. Morals in politics? Does he feel any stupider for saying that? Clinton and Morals...I'll have another Root Beer on that BS. Bartender make it a double with Bryer's homemade vanilla since Trump said "he was a fan of someone or something that isn't named Putin.
2.What does it mean? Can you not read, hear, or see? If you can she just told you your place in the pecking order. The enemy of my enemy is my friend....with Clinton and Trump, you have no idea which is which.
BTW....can you keep the power on this time? Regime change is only a drone call away.
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