Turkish cabinet slams US terror report for 'double standard'

ANKARA-Anadolu Agency

No mentioning of YPG/PYD and FETÖ as terrorist organizations in the recently released U.S. terrorism report is one of the most obvious examples of the double standard approach, Turkey's Presidential Cabinet said on Nov. 5

The Cabinet criticized "Country Reports on Terrorism 2018" -- issued by the U.S. State Department on Nov. 1

Not mentioning the YPG, PKK terror group's Syrian offshoot, and PYD, its political wing, as well as FETÖ, the group behind the 2016 defeated coup attempt, is “one of the most obvious examples of the double standard approach”, said the statement released after the Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

"[...] Turkey resolutely continues to fight all terrorist organizations especially PYD and FETÖ, as well as PKK and ISIL," it added.

FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt on July 15, 2016, which left 251 people killed and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.