Turkey won’t accept fait accompli attempts in Syria, FM Davutoğlu says

ANKARA

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu gives a press conference after a meeting with Greek counterpart in Ankara on July 19, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ADEM ALTAN

Any de facto or fait accompli attempts based on ethnicity within Syria would cause bigger crises and Turkey cannot accept this, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has said, in an apparent reference to the recent capture of border town by People’s Defense Units (YPG), the militant wing of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), units.

“Any such attempts - de facto or fait accompli - within Syria would increase the existing fragility in the country and cause more intense fighting,” Davutoğlu told reporters in a press conference with his Greek counterpart Evangelos Venizelos. The PYD, which is affiliated to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), captured the Syrian border town of Ras al-Ayn after fighting with al-Nusra militants, and reportedly raised its flag in the town center.

Davutoğlu noted that this should be the decision of Parliament, which would be elected by the people, to decide what unitary groups will be formed in Syria. “Everyone needs to avoid these kind of de facto situations until the elected Parliament is formed,” he said, also accusing the al-Assad regime of fanning tension. “It is likely that al-Assad regime took tactical steps to play off the Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen or different ethnic and sectarian groups against each other. No one should be deceived or cheated by this,” he said.

Davutoğlu also said Turkey had taken “all necessary measures” against any kind of attacks that threaten its security, referring to the clashes between the YPG and al-Nusra. “Turkey will respond instantly to any kind of possible threats, no matter where they come from,” he said.