Erdogan said the threat to Turkey from the US
ANKARA, 21 APR — RIA Novosti. The threat to Turkey comes in the first place, from its strategic partners, said the President of the country Tayyip Erdogan, referring to the United States that provide military assistance to the self-defense forces of Syrian Kurds (YPG).
Relations between Turkey and the United States are in crisis because of the support provided by the U.S. YPG, which Ankara considers a terrorist group, associated with the outlawed Turkey Kurdistan workers ‘ party (PKK). Washington explains his actions to combat the terrorist group ISIS*.
“Whence comes the danger? It comes, primarily, from our strategic partners … We can’t buy weapons from US our money, but unfortunately, USA and the coalition for free transferring weapons and ammunition to terrorist organizations,” Erdogan said in an interview with NTV channel.
He noted that the US has sent 5 thousand trucks of weapons in Northern Syria, which poses a direct threat to Turkey.
Erdogan also criticized the U.S. for refusing extradition of the opposition Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, commenting on the request of Washington on the release of the arrested in Turkey on suspicion of involvement in the FETO American pastor Andrew Brunson.
“The United States needs to look at the steps they have taken, and to comply with the extradition Treaty if they want the American pastor Brunson was on the loose,” said Erdogan, adding that the request of the United States on the release of Branson’s illegal.
The Turkish authorities have accused Gulen of involvement in the coup attempt on the night of July 16, 2016. Gulen himself has maintained his innocence and condemned the rebellion, however, the Turkish authorities demanded from the United States, where the opposition preacher, his extradition. In Turkey, after the riot, were arrested about 50 thousand people, fired or suspended about 140 thousand civil servants.