Erdogan Says Turkey Does Not Intend to Occupy Part of Syrian Territory

The President of Turkey, during a speech at the congress of the 'Justice and Development' Party, stated that the operation known as 'Olive Branch' in Afrin and northern Syria was not aimed at occupying part of Syrian territory. According to the Turkish state news agency, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on February 3 that the goal of the Turkish army's operation in northern Syria is to eliminate 'terrorist elements' and not to seize Syrian land. The Turkish government considers the Syrian Kurdish militants in the 'People's Protection Units' and the Democratic Union Party to be a branch of the 'Kurdistan Workers' Party' (PKK) and therefore labels them as 'terrorist groups.' Meanwhile, the United States, a major ally of the 'People's Protection Units' in the fight against ISIS, does not classify this group as a terrorist organization. However, from the perspective of the U.S. government, the PKK is considered a 'terrorist group.' Erdogan stated on Sunday that his country is hosting three and a half million Syrian refugees and intends to 'create conditions for their return' to their homeland. The latest operation of the Turkish army in Syrian territory, named 'Olive Branch,' began on the last day of January. This operation has faced various criticisms and reactions, including from Turkey's allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Last week, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, warned Ankara that operations against Kurdish militants in Afrin should not serve as an excuse for 'aggression against Syria.' Macron stated in an interview with Le Figaro that Turkey should cooperate with its allies and that its attacks should be limited to the fight against terrorism. The reference to the 'fight against terrorism' in Macron's statements again highlights the deep disagreements between Ankara and Western countries regarding the nature and activities of Syrian Kurdish militants. The Turkish government has reacted to the statements of the French President. Erdogan himself, in a speech at the congress of the Justice and Development Party, criticized those who oppose the war, stating that they effectively 'consent to the occupation of areas by terrorist groups.' Ankara has simultaneously rejected reports from the Human Rights Watch regarding Turkish border guards shooting at Syrian refugees. According to Human Rights Watch, border guards deliberately shoot at refugees to prevent them from crossing the border into Turkey. However, Erdogan's spokesperson claims that the soldiers are 'protecting' the refugees and that Ankara's approach to accepting Syrian refugees is based on an 'open-door policy.'