A
leader of one of Turkey's pro-Kurdish parties has accused the Turkish
state of aiding and supporting ISIL following a fresh attack on the
Syrian city of Kobane, which has been described as a "massacre".
Figen
Yuksekdag, co-leader of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party
(HDP), reacted angrily to the news that ISIL fighters had entered Kobane
and started attacking civilians, saying that there was a "high
probability" that the attackers had traveled to the city from Turkey,
as it lies just a couple of kilometers from the Turkish border.
"The Turkish government has supported ISIL for years. Today's massacre is a part of this support," she said.
The accusations that Turkish border officials may have let the
attackers into Syria is set to stir more animosity among Turkey's large
Kurdish minority, who have had longstanding criticisms of their
treatment by Ankara.
The Turkish government strongly rejected the claims, with the country's foreign ministry spokesperson labeling the allegations as "lies."
The attack also comes at a crucial time for incumbent Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after his AK Party failed to secure enough seats in Turkey's recent elections to form government, with negotiations continuing to try and create a coalition agreement with minor parties.
Turkey 'Must Prove' it Doesn't Support ISIL
Yuksekdag stepped up the attack on Erdogan, saying that the Turkish establishment was suffering from a lack of credibility over the manner in which the ISIL saga has been managed.
"The Turkish government has supported ISIL for years. Today's massacre is a part of this support," she said.
The Turkish government strongly rejected the claims, with the country's foreign ministry spokesperson labeling the allegations as "lies."
The attack also comes at a crucial time for incumbent Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after his AK Party failed to secure enough seats in Turkey's recent elections to form government, with negotiations continuing to try and create a coalition agreement with minor parties.
Turkey 'Must Prove' it Doesn't Support ISIL
Yuksekdag stepped up the attack on Erdogan, saying that the Turkish establishment was suffering from a lack of credibility over the manner in which the ISIL saga has been managed.
"The remarks of Turkish politicians are null
and void for us. It is up to the Turkish government to prove it does not
support ISIL."
Although Turkey is part of the US-led coalition against ISIL, the
country has come under fierce criticism for its perceived lack
of involvement in trying to stop the threat of ISIL in Syria and Iraq,
drawing the ire of US officials in the process.
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