Turkish Foreign Minister said on Wednesday that the US is having problems withdrawing its forces as it tries to end its involvement with the Kurdish militants.

“We see that the US has some difficulties while withdrawing [from Syria],” Mevlut Cavusoglu told parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.

“After being so intertwined and engaged with a terrorist organization, it is not that easy to leave that terrorist organization,” he added, referring to Kurdish militia.

Cavusoglu reiterated that Turkey has repeatedly rejected US claims that Washington will not withdraw its troops from northeastern Syria without a guarantee from Ankara that it will not attack Kurds. Turkey’s leadership has stressed that equating “Kurds” with the PKK/PYD is illicit.

Cavusoglu pointed to “Turkey prioritizing and supporting Syria’s territorial integrity and stability.”

“Turkey has taken all measures to counter terror threats from the PKK/PYD coming from Syrian territory,” he said, according to Anadolu news agency.

“As we took steps in Afrin, as we took steps with Operation Euphrates Shield west of the Euphrates River to the al-Bab region, so we would never shrink from taking the same steps east of the Euphrates,” the top Turkish diplomat stressed.

Source: Anadolu news agency