Turkey has
hit out at the United States over criticism of its ongoing role in the conflict
in Syria.
Turkish
forces have targeted so-called Islamic State (IS) inside Syria, but have also
gone after Kurdish fighters in the same region.
The
pursuit of Kurdish forces, whom Ankara considers terrorists, has led to
criticism by the United States.
Ankara
summoned the US ambassador today over comments the foreign ministry called
"unacceptable".
A US
military spokesman and expressed hopes that, rather than see Turkey pursue
Kurdish fighters, "all parties involved are going to stop shooting at each
other and focus" on IS.
"Turkey
is a sovereign state, it is a legitimate state," said EU Affairs Minister
Omer Celik, echoing comment by Turkey's foreign ministry.
"To
suggest it is on a par with a terrorist organisation and suggest there are
talks between them, that a deal has been reached between them, this is unacceptable."
Prime
Minister Binali Yildirim said that "operations will continue until all
terrorist elements have been neutralised, until all threats to our borders, our
lands and our citizens are completely over".
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