US urged to stop arming PKK/PYD terror group

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA

The leader of opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has urged the U.S to not arm the PKK/PYD terror group.

Addressing his party’s parliamentary group meeting, Devlet Bahceli said Tuesday: "The U.S should stop providing weapons to PKK...

"The U.S should immediately refrain from underestimating Turkey."

Despite strong protests from Turkey, the U.S. has armed the SDF, which comprises of PKK/PYD terrorists, and termed the group a “reliable ally”.

The PKK itself is widely recognized as a terrorist group, including by the U.S.

About Premier Binali Yildirim's meeting with the U.S. Vice President Mike Pence at the White House on Thursday, he said Turkey and the U.S have decided to open a new chapter based on constructive dialogue. "At first sight, this [new] situation is pleasing."

However, Bahceli called on the U.S. to stop backing the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

"If the U.S is sincere..., then they should stop backing terrorist organizations, and then they should send the betrayer, the head of FETO, to Turkey in handcuffs on the first flight."

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Gulen orchestrated the defeated July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey that left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.


Presidential system

FETO is also held accountable for being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions.

MHP Leader Bahceli said it would cooperate with the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party until the 2019 presidential elections.

"With the purpose of fully establishing the presidential system in 2019, MHP will continue its struggle side by side with AK Party."

Bahceli slammed main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) to cause confrontation after April 2017 referendum.

"If CHP would take along HDP and its other substitutes for taking revenge of the April 16 referendum, MHP will not remain insensitive and unresponsive to this," said Bahceli.

The Turkish government has accused the People's Democratic Party (HDP) of being linked to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU.

The MHP prominently lent its support to the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party after last year's coup attempt by the Terrorist Organization (FETO).

The MHP also backed the AK Party's Yes campaign ahead of April's constitutional referendum, as well as the government’s Syria and Iraq policy.