Turkish President Erdogan vows to destroy infrastructure of Kurdish militias in Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to destroy the infrastructure of Kurdish militias in Syria, according to local media.

Erdogan announced on Monday Ankara’s intention to move into a "new phase" in its fight against the groups it classifies as "terrorist" groups – the PKK and YPG – by destroying the resources they depend on, Turkey's Anadolu Agency reported.

His remarks came days after Turkish defence minister Hulusi Akar revealed Ankara is in talks with Russia about using airspace over northern Syria for a potential cross-border operation against Kurdish militias.

"We will enter a new phase of struggle that will destroy the entire infrastructure and resources of the terrorist group (PKK and YPG/PKK), which it receives strength from, as well as its armed capacity," he said.

The leader added that Turkey "will close the gaps in our 30-kilometer deep security line and take new steps to completely eliminate the threats posed by [terrorist groups in] Syria to our country".

Ankara has for months been threatening a military operation against Kurdish militias in northern Syria, but ramped up preparations last month after a deadly bomb attack in Istanbul, which it blamed on Kurdish militants.

The PKK and the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), spearheaded by the YPG, have all denied involvement in the bombing.

Ankara alleges that the YPG is the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group that has been fighting an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984.

However, the SDF,  has been instrumental in defeating the Islamic State group in Syria, leading the US to express its disapproval of any military escalation in the region that could threaten the continuation of IS.

Turkish forces have been pummelling Kurdish positions near the border with artillery fire and drone strikes since November 20 in response to the blast.