Erdogan hits out at support for Syria terror groups

By Burak Yilmaz

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has used a speech at a Saturday iftar fast-breaking meal to criticize some countries for supporting terror groups in Syria.

Speaking at an iftar meal organized by the Birlik Foundation charity in Istanbul, Erdogan said that there were no good or bad terrorists; all terrorists were bad.

A “serious plan has been implemented in the south of Turkey, in northern Syria and those who appear friendly are unfortunately acting mischievously on this plan" Erdogan said Saturday.

Erdogan continued: "Some of those friendly countries say: 'The PYD and YPG are fighting against Daesh, thus we support them.' Then, if this is the case, you designate al-Nusra as a terrorist organization.

"Al-Nusra is also fighting against Daesh. Why don't you accept al-Nusra as your friend?"

The YPG is the armed wing of the PYD -- the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, which is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

*Anadolu Agency correspondent Sibel Ugurlu in Ankara contributed to this report.