Germany Backs Turkey's Drive Against IS And Kurds

BERLIN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th August, 2016) - Germany on Wednesday said it supported both an unprecedented Turkish operation in Syria to drive out Islamic State jihadists and Ankara's targeting of Kurdish militia fighters at the border. Foreign ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer told reporters that the Turkish air and ground offensive in a key Syrian border town was "in keeping with the goals and aims of the anti-IS coalition". He added that Berlin would not condemn Ankara's action against Kurdish fighters, who are backed by the US as a key ally against IS and who had also been closing in on the town of Jarabulus directly opposite Turkey.

"Turkey, rightly or wrongly, believes that there are links between the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party), which we see as a terror organisation, on the Turkish side and elements among the Kurds on the Syrian side," Schaefer said.

"We respect that and think that Turkey has the legitimate right to take action against these terrorist activities. Hence we support Turkey on this."