Macron sparks Turkish anger by meeting Syrian Kurds

French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday hosted representatives of the Kurdish-led force that defeated Islamic State extremists in Syria, While drawing a sharp rebuke from Turkey. 

Macron assured the Kurdish envoys of French support in their fight against the remaining jihadists. He also vowed financial support to the humanitarian needs and the socio-economic stabilisation of the civilian population in Syria.

Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy in a statement



accused Macron of seeking to confer artificial legitimacy on a faction of terrorist groups.

 

In late March, the US-backed SDF flushed out IS fighters from their last bastion in Syria but Kurdish-led force still warns that the jihadists remain a threat in places. The SDF is an umbrella Kurdish-Arab force dominated by Kurds from the People's Protection Units, YPG. It is regarded with huge distrust by neighbouring Turkey which sees the YPG as a terror group.