President Erdogan Wednesday criticized U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's remarks on arming Syrian Kurds as “unfortunate.”
"Clinton said, 'We will continue to support the PYD and YPG.’ This is a very unfortunate statement,” Erdogan said at a ceremony for appointing judges and prosecutors in Ankara.
When asked Sunday how she would handle Syria if elected president, Clinton said she “would also consider arming the Kurds.” While she did not mention the PYD – the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU – or its armed wing, the YPG, her remarks have been interpreted in Ankara as referring to the terrorist group.
The PKK has fought a three-decade war against Turkey in which more than 40,000 people have died.
Turkey has repeatedly said that arming the PKK/PYD is a source of concern, as the terrorist group poses a threat to Turkey.
"This should not be done,” said Erdogan. “Because the sensibilities of the region are different. Such a step cannot be taken in a period when there are these sensibilities."
He attributed Clinton’s remarks to "political inexperience.”
Erdogan also reiterated that Turkey will not allow the formation of a "terror corridor" in northern Syria.