Advertisement

Turkish officials in talks with Donald Trump’s team over Syria strategy

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Oct. 20.(Kayhan Ozer, Presidential Press Service, Pool photo via AP).
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Oct. 20.(Kayhan Ozer, Presidential Press Service, Pool photo via AP).

ANKARA, Turkey – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman says Turkey has relayed to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s team its unease over U.S. support to Syrian Kurdish militia, considered as terrorists by Turkey.

Ibrahim Kalin told Turkey’s 24 channel on Thursday that he was under the impression that an administration under Trump would “pay more attention to Turkey’s sensitivities.”

READ MORE: Turkey warns continued cease-fire violations will threaten Syria peace talks

Click to play video: 'UN council welcomes Syria ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey'
UN council welcomes Syria ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey

“We have told them – and we continue to tell them – that a strategy against (the Islamic State group) that puts (Syrian Kurdish militia) at its centre is not the correct strategy and needs to change,” Kalin said.

Story continues below advertisement

He also repeated warnings made the previous day that Turkey could bar U.S.-led coalition planes from using its southern base of Incirlik in anti-IS operations.

“We hold the right to close Incirlik,” Kalin said.

Sponsored content

AdChoices