The US-led coalition against the Daesh terrorist group is training a force expected to ensure border control in Syria, the Defense Post news website reported on Saturday, citing a coalition spokesman. The force is expected to be stuffed partly by veterans of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), affiliated with the YPG.
"We cannot and will not allow the terrorist organization, YPG, which has been proven as an extension of the PKK, to be supported and armed under the guise of it being an ‘operational partner’," Akar said, as quoted by Anadolu news agency.
READ MORE: Turkish Forces Shell Syrian Kurds Targets in Northern Syria — Reports
The Turkish military chief added that NATO should not give a preferential approach to any terrorist groups.
Turkish Chief of Staff General Hulusi Akar says that Turkey will not allow support or arming of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria during his NATO Meeting that was held on Brussel.
— ALI CINAR (@ALICINAR) January 16, 2018
Following the coalition's announcement, Ankara has been indicating it might launch an offensive in Syria’s northern Kurdish-controlled Afrin.
The PKK, involved in an armed conflict with Ankara, is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, the European Union and NATO.