Turkish president accuses US of not supporting its offensive on IS

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan prepares for an interview in New York City, US September 19, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

ANKARA -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized its NATO allies on Thursday, particularly the US, for not supporting Ankara's struggle against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in Syria's al Bab region.

Once more, Erdogan accused the US of supplying weapons to Kurdish fighters in Syria.

"NATO allies must stand by their partner Turkey in Syria, not the terrorist groups," said the Turkish president, referring to the People's Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara considers as an offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

"You sent arms to terrorist organizations, then said 'we sent ammunition, not arms,'" Erdogan said. "We're not buying it, nor accepting it."

"Despite our NATO alliance, you support terrorist organizations, instead of us," the Turkish president said. "Are the terrorist organizations your partners in NATO?"

"If we are NATO strategic partners, then you should support us," Erdogan said, addressing the US administration.

"Terrorist organizations will eventually attack nations supporting them too," he warned.