PKK terrorists hosted by Macron in France’s Elysee Palace
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a delegation of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) at the Elysee Palace on Thursday. During the meeting, Macron promised the terror group support.
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Macron also claimed the SDF had “no operational link with this terrorist group [the PKK],” adding that "a dialogue could be established between the SDF and Turkey with the assistance of France and the international community."
The SDF is dominated by the People’s Protection Units (YPG), which is the armed wing of the Democratic Union Party (PYD). The PYD is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. France says no plans for military operation in Syria
After Macron’s meeting with the PYD/PKK-led SDF delegation, several French media outlets reported that France promised to send troops to Manbij, Syria, to support the terror group.
However, following strong criticism from Turkey, presidential sources said that France does not anticipate any new military operations in northern Syria. Turkey slams offer
The offer of France to mediate between Turkey and the PYD/PKK-led SDF terror group in Syria exceeds its limit, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Friday.
“If the remark [by the French presidency] that ‘we can be a mediator between Turkey and SDF’ is true, it far exceeds the limit of the person who says that. Who are you to mediate between Turkey and terror group?” said Erdoğan.
The Turkish president termed the hosting of terror group members at the French presidency as “nothing but a hostile expression against Turkey”.
Many top Turkish officials - including Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Deputy Premier Bekir Bozdağ - also slammed France’s offer of mediation.
Bozdağ said Turkey remains determined to fight terrorist groups, adding that those who forge friendship with such groups would end up losing Turkey’s friendship.
