In a statement on Sunday, US National Security Adviser John Bolton told reporters that American forces would remain in Syria until the last remnants of DAESH were defeated and Turkiye provided guarantees that it would not strike Kurdish forces allied with the United States.

Responding to Bolton's statement, "PYD and YPG, acting on a separatist agenda under the guise of fighting DAESH, are the Syrian arm of the PKK terrorist organization and cannot represent the Kurds," said Kalın.

"Claiming that a terrorist organization represents Kurds is a disrespect to our Kurdish brothers," said Kalın and added that the aim of Turkiye's fight PKK and its Syrian extension is to liberate Kurds from the oppression of this organization and to ensure the security of life and property of Kurdish people.

Stating that it is irrational to say Turkiye targets Kurdish people, Kalın underlined that Turkiye's target is DAESH and PKK/PYD/YPG terrorist organizations.

"The issue is that the PKK/PYD/YPG try to establish order by persecuting the Kurds who do not obey and terrorist acts against our country," Kalın said and underscored that a terror group cannot be an ally of the US.

At the end of his message, Kalın pointed out that Turkiye will coordinate with its allies and regional countries in the fight against terrorism and will implement policies that national security requires in a determined manner.

ILKHA