Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar
The PKK/PYD/YPG terror group should know that they would be buried in their own trenches in Syria's Manbij region, Turkey's national defense minister said on Thursday.
"The terror group is digging ditches in Manbij as they have done in Afrin, despite promises made for PKK/PYD/YPG's withdrawal from Manbij," Hulusi Akar told lawmakers in the planning and budget commission at the parliament.
"The terror group [YPG/PKK] should know that it will be buried in the trenches it has dug," he said.
Akar added that Turkey still faces terror threats as Iraqi and Kurdish regional governments have not taken effective steps against PKK in northern Iraq.
Five Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) terrorists were captured alive in a bomb-laden car on Thursday in Turkey's southern province of Mardin.Turkish police seized over 247 kilograms (544.5 pounds) of explosives, which were planned to be used in 32 separate bomb attacks, during the operation.Police forces found the vehicle on Ceylanpinar-Kiziltepe highway at around 7.30 pm local time (0430 GMT) on Wednesday.The operation was carried out in the city after it was learned that large amounts of explosive materials were illegally brought by PKK/KCK-PYD/YPG terror groups from Syria and they would be transferred to other Turkish provinces for bombing activities.US concerned over Turkish shelling of PKK/YPG positionsThe explosive material seized in the vehicle was identified as pentaerythritol tetranitrate, also known as PETN.An investigation into the incident was launched by the Mardin Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.Video: Turkish forces nab five PKK terrorists alive in bomb-laden vehicleSenior PKK member captured alive in Turkey
Turkish forces nab five PKK terrorists alive in bomb-laden vehicle
"In this regard, our operations will continue until the terror threat from Iraqi territories is defeated," said Akar.
The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the city to stabilize the region in the northeast of Aleppo province in northern Syria.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.
A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition in Syria declined to answer questions Wednesday on who controls the northeastern town of Tal Abyad.On Tuesday, the Turkish military shelled positions of the YPG, the Syrian branch of the PKK terrorist organization, in the town.Cmdr. Sean Robertson, a Pentagon spokesperson, called on all parties to avoid escalation and focus on the most important task of defeating Daesh.When asked by Anadolu Agency who was in control in Tal Abyad, Col. Sean J. Ryan, spokesman for the U.S.-led Combined Joint Task Force, replied: "The Coalition works through the Syrian Democratic Forces [SDF], and they decide the troop movements and plans."Turkish FM to visit QatarWhen asked about the latest situation in the town and whether the forces there are SDF members, Ryan replied with a statement from the SDF which demanded that coalition members stop Turkish shelling of the region.Asked who is currently controlling Tal Abyad, if it was the YPG or SDF, the spokesman said he did not have a "current update" on the town.Ryan also did not respond when asked to disclose who the forces were in Tal Abyad that were targeted by Turkish shelling.On Sunday, the Turkish military hit PKK/YPG positions in the Zor Magar region east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria.The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU.
US evades answer on who controls Syria's Tal Abyad
FETÖ
Akar also said that Turkey dismissed a total of 15,153 army personnel over their links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) since the defeated coup attempt in 2016, of whom 323 were reinstated following dismissal.
According to the Turkish government, FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.
Since the failed coup, operations have been ongoing in the military, police and judiciary as well as in state institutions across the country to arrest suspects with alleged links to FETÖ.
A Turkish ship will start drilling for oil and gas in the Mediterranean on Wednesday, Energy Minister Fatih Dönmez said, a move that could create tensions with neighbouring Cyprus and Greece over jurisdiction.Attempts to tap gas and oil in the eastern Mediterranean, along with a dispute over Greece's maritime borders, have recently caused friction between Athens and Ankara.Turkey and the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government in Cyprus have overlapping claims of jurisdiction for offshore oil and gas research in the eastern Mediterranean, a region thought to be rich in natural gas.Speaking at a ceremony for the launch of the drilling ship "Fatih", Dönmez said it would begin drilling at the Alanya-1 borehole, located 100 kilometres (60 miles) off the southern province of Antalya and 60 kilometres off Antalya's Alanya district.Turkey to uphold ‘equitable principles’ in Eastern Med"Turkey has set its main goal as independence in energy," Dönmez said. "We don't have an eye on others' resources, our only issue is to present to our people the riches within our territory."The first borehole will be some distance from the disputed territory, which lies further south and around Cyprus.Turkey is almost completely reliant on imports to meet its energy needs and the lira's tumble against the dollar this year has driven up that cost, putting pressure on energy companies to raise prices for consumers.To meet more of its needs domestically, Turkey recently announced a tender for operation rights of three new solar power plants and privatised seven coal fields. It also opened a new refinery to reduce dependence on imported oil products.Turkey says it will not tolerate shift in Greek maritime borderDönmez said on Tuesday that Turkey was also very close to buying another drilling ship.Turkey warned Greece last week to stay out of its activities in the eastern Mediterranean, heralding a potential showdown with Cyprus.North Cyprus, which is supported by Turkey, says any offshore wealth also belongs to them, as partners in the establishment of the Cyprus republic in 1960.Greek Cypriots, who run the island's internationally recognised government, say any future benefits of gas finds will eventually be shared by all Cypriots.The island was split in 1974 after a Turkish intervention triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Countless peacemaking endeavours have failed, and offshore wealth has increasingly complicated peace negotiations even though Greek Cypriots say that matter is not up for discussion.Video: Turkish drilling vessel sets off for its first deep drilling project in Mediterranean
Turkish ship to drill for oil and gas in Mediterranean: minister
Turkey, guarantor of peace in Cyprus island
Akar said that Turkey would never allow any step or fait accompli in Cyprus, Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
"Our interlocutors should know that any project without Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the Aegean and the Mediterranean will not be successful," said Akar.
Akar also called on the actors in the eastern Mediterranean region to stop provocation that "will put the region at risk".
On Oct. 18, the Turkish navy prevented a Greek frigate from interfering in the activity of the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa, a Turkish seismic and drilling vessel working in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The activity, which had been announced by Turkish authorities, met with Greek interference.
Turkey has consistently contested the Greek Cypriot administration’s unilateral drilling activity in the Eastern Mediterranean, saying Turkish Cypriots also have rights to the resources in the area.
Akar stressed that Turkish forces would continue to protect Turkey’s and Turkish Cypriots' rights in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.
"Turkish Armed Forces will continue to be the guarantor of peace and security in Cyprus island in accordance with international warranty and alliance agreements," he added.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Greek Cypriot coup was followed by violence against the island's Turks and Ankara's intervention as a guarantor power.
It has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years, including the latest initiative in Switzerland under the auspices of guarantor countries Turkey, Greece and the U.K. collapsing in 2017.
Turkey blames Greek Cypriot intransigence for the talks' failure, also faulting the European Union for admitting Cyprus as a divided island into the union in 2004 after Greek Cypriot voters rejected a peace deal.
On the purchase of S-400, Akar said: "We have reached a certain point in the process for the supplying of S-400 systems from the Russian Federation in order to meet our urgent air defense system needs as soon as possible."
"With these systems which are expected to be delivered in 2019, our country will have gained a significant air defense talent," he added.