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Speaking prior to Erzurum Provincial Congress, concerning EP’s call for withdrawal from Afrin, President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, “We are coming towards the end in Afrin” and criticized the European Union, which demanded that the operation be stopped.
Erdoğan said, “They say ‘Withdraw your troops from Afrin, this is not right’. Hey the EP, since when have you started to give advice to this nation. You keep your advices to yourselves. We will carry on with the operation in Afrin”.
Some of the highlights from Erdoğan’s criticisms are as follows:
“You have no grasp of humanity”
“It is us who have been hosting 3.5 million Syrians for seven years. You begged us ‘not to open the doors’. We’ve done you a humanitarian favor but you have no grasp of humanity.
“You take whatever decision you want. It passes over our head. Your decisions don’t count for anything. We have in no way any business with the civilians. You’ve seen how they’ve tyrannized the civilians who wanted to flee Afrin, right? We will chase you wherever you run”.
Deputy PM Bozdağ: "The motion is null and void
Deputy Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson Bozdağ issued a statement on Twitter following the EP’s motion being approved. Stating that EP’s motion is null and void in the eyes of Turkey, Bozdağ said:
“The European Parliament didn’t see the facts in Syria. With this motion, the EP has once again shown that when it comes to Turkey, it cannot be fair, objective and impartial, and always a side against Turkey. The EP acted against the fundamental values on which the EU rises. It prefers to act with terrorist organization rather than Turkey.
“EP’s motion is null and void in the eyes of Turkey. Turkey won’t give up its fight against terrorism just because the EP has taken this decision. Operation Olive Branch will continue until the last terrorist is cleaned in Afrin, and peace and tranquility is established in in the region”. (PT/TK)
