Turkey's President Erdogan claims US coalition 'supporting IS'
Turkey's outspoken president has attacked the US-led coalition saying they have supported the IS group and Kurdish militants in Syria.
2 min read
President Erdogan said the US-led coalition had failed in its promises [Getty]
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has claimed he has evidence that US-led coalition forces in Syria give support to militans such as the Islamic State group and the Kurdish YPG and PYD.
"They were accusing us of supporting Daesh (Islamic State)," he told reporters in Ankara.
"Now they give support to terrorist groups including Daesh, YPG, PYD. It's very clear. We have confirmed evidence, with pictures, photos and videos," he said.
The Turkish leader also accused the US-led coalition of failing in its pledge to help liberate the IS-held town of al-Bab, which Turkish forces and Syrian Free Army fighters are currently seeking to capture from IS.
"Even though the US-led coalition has failed to keep its promises [pledging air support] in our operation to liberate al-Bab, we will rid the city of Daesh terrorists, no matter what," he said.
Regarding the upcoming Astana Summit, Erdogan said that Saudi Arabia and Qatar should also be invited, however Ankara "will not welcome a decision to invite terrorist organisations to the summit".
Turkey, Russia and Iran recently agreed that peace talks will be held between Syria's opposition and the Assad regime in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The US has denied Turkish accusations that allege it is directly arming the Syrian-Kurdish group the People's Protection Units [YPG], amid growing tensions with Turkey.
This distancing from the US comes as Turkey continues its reconciliation with Moscow, which supports Syria's regime.
Both Turkish backed Syrian rebels and Kurdish groups are competing to take territory from the IS in Aleppo and Raqqa provinces.
Follow the Middle East's top stories in English at The New Arab on Google News
