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We may solve Daesh issue ourselves, Turkish president says

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan (AFP)

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Tuesday that Ankara may take unilateral action against the Takfiri Daesh terrorists in Syria if no help is provided by partners in a multi-national coalition against the militants.

Erdogan said Turkey will stand on its own and deal with Daesh if alleged attacks by the group on the border town of Kilis are not properly addressed by the US-led coalition, which has purportedly been striking Daesh positions in Syria over the past months.

“We will overcome the Islamic State (Daesh). We will solve that issue ourselves if we don't receive help to prevent those rockets from hitting Kilis,” Erdogan told an international meeting of ministers in Istanbul.

Rocket attacks by Daesh on Kilis, a town just across the border with Syria, has seen a surge in recent weeks, prompting Turkish authorities to warn about potential air and ground operations into the Syrian territory to push back the group.

Turkey has been carrying out airstrikes on Daesh positions in Syria and Iraq as part of the so-called international coalition while it also hosts fighter jets from members of the coalition at the Incirlik Air Base south of the country.

Turkish media said Erdogan received a delegation of officials from Kilis on Tuesday and promised them support and action in the face of increasing rocket attacks from Daesh-held territories in northern Syria.

Kilis Governor Suleyman Tapsiz said after the meeting that Erdogan “was already closely following [the attacks on Kilis], was informed on everything and that he is standing with Kilis and the people of Kilis.”

People of Kilis recently demonstrated calling for the government to provide security and relief assistance to the residents of the area.


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