Director of Communications Prof. Fahrettin Altun said: “In connection with the removal of this terrorist organization, they will either support us at all levels in the field, or they will support us to clean up the terrorist organization here without facing the Americans in any way.”
Speaking to Bloomberg prior to US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Turkey, Prof. Altun said: “Turkey protects its position regarding the safe zone along the 444 kilometer-border strip with the depth of 30-35 kilometers. We do not want any DAESH or YPG terrorist organization to exist in the safe zone. What is essential for us is to create an environment in which Syrians can return to their homes voluntarily, safely and permanently. That's not the case with the terrorist organization. Our President says the same thing for Manbij. So the presence of the regime there does not make sense if the YPG will stay there. If the main approach of the regime is to shield the PKK from the PYD, this is not acceptable to us.”
Altun pointed out that President Erdoğan once again expressed his determination regarding the safe zone. Noting that how the US can give guarantee to Turkey concerning the way for terrorists to leave the safe zone as mentioned by President Erdoğan, Prof. Altun said: "Very clear. What we have expressed there is clear, there is no hesitation. In connection with the removal of this terrorist organization, they will either support us at all levels in the field, or they will support us to clean up the terrorist organization here without facing the Americans in any way."