‘Türkiye does not need permission for Syria operations, keeps allies in loop’

ANKARA (AA) – Türkiye coordinates with its allies but does not seek anyone’s permission for its security operations in Syria, according to the Turkish presidential spokesperson.

“We don’t ask for permission, we just coordinate with our allies when we face a national security threat,” Ibrahim Kalin said in an interview aired by Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera on Sunday.

“In regards to the political situation in Syria, of course, it remains a source of threat and uncertainty for everyone, not just for us, but for Iraq, for Jordan, and other countries as well, (and) Europe etc.,” he added.

Last month Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Sword in northern Iraq and Syria, a cross-border aerial campaign against PKK/YPG.

The operation was launched days after the group allegedly carried out a bomb attack on the popular Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul, killing six people and injuring 81.

After the air operation began on Nov. 20, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also signaled a ground operation in northern Iraq and northern Syria.

Kalin rejected claims that Turkish airstrikes had endangered US soldiers, reiterating that Ankara does not target civilians, or American or Russian soldiers.

“We have a deconflicting mechanism with the Russians and the Americans. We don’t target Russian or American soldiers or military posts in Syria or anywhere else. Our targets are PKK/PYD/YPG elements, and we tell them to stay away from those elements,” he said.