Syrian Turkmen, Arabs back Turkey’s planned operation

By Mustafa Guclu and Rauf Maltas

SANLIURFA, Turkey 

Syrian Arabs and Turkmen on Sunday voiced their support for a planned Turkish military operation east of the Euphrates River against the YPG/PKK terrorist group.

Omer Dede, vice president of the Syrian Arab and Turkmen Tribes Association, said they welcomed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Wednesday remarks that an operation to clear the region, located east of the Euphrates, of the YPG/PKK terrorists will start "in a few days".

Speaking to the reporters along with 50 other members in Turkey's southeastern Sanliurfa province, Dede said they expected an immediate Turkish intervention in the region to ensure Syrians' return to their homeland.

"They have expelled us out of our lands. We will return to our homeland as Turkmens, Arabs and Kurds," Dede said.

"PYD has persecuted our Kurdish brothers the most. Those who are there now had come from Qandil and have nothing to do with our lands. Their sole concern is to divide Syria," Dede said.

"If the U.S. wants the elephants to play, let them play in their own country," Dede said, referring to a message that U.S. officials sent to the Syrian opposition groups on Saturday.

"When elephants dance, you must stay away from the dance floor," the message read, threatening the Syrian oppositions against supporting the planned operation.