Turkey has hit back at US criticism of its role in Syria, as Turkish forces have been targeting Kurdish fighters as well as ISIS. The US and Russia have called on Turkey to avoid strikes on the opposition and ethnic groups that are fighting ISIS. However, Turkey's prime minister, Binali Yildirim, said: "operations will continue until all terrorist elements have been neutralised." He said he had spoken with Barack Obama about the situation in Syria but did not give details. Turkey regards Kurdish militia as terrorists and insists they retreat across the Euphrates river.
Turkey has hit back at US criticism of its role in Syria, as Turkish forces have been targeting Kurdish fighters as well as ISIS. The US and Russia have called on Turkey to avoid strikes on the opposition and ethnic groups that are fighting ISIS. However, Turkey's prime minister, Binali Yildirim, said: "operations will continue until all terrorist elements have been neutralised." While Ankara and Washington are allies, the US relies on the support of Kurdish forces in attacking ISIS in northern Syria. Turkey regards Kurdish militia as terrorists and insists they retreat across the Euphrates river.