12,000 Turks joined extremist and terrorist groups in Syria: Report

Middle East, News January 12, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

A Turkish think tank has said that 12,000 Turks have joined extremist and terrorist groups such as ISIS and the al-Nusra Front in Syria.

Ismail Hakki Pekin, a veteran serviceman and a researcher with the Ankara-based 21st Century Turkey Institute, who has prepared the report, says Turkey has turned into the main base for armed extremist groups.

He said Turkey is the passageway for thousands of armed forces into Syria and the ruling Turkish Justice and Development Party directly provides military and logistical support for ISIS and other armed groups.

Atilla Kart, a member of Turkey’s Republican People’s Party, has said 3,000 people have joined ISIL from the southern Turkey city of Konya, while the Turkish government knows and ignores this.

Speaking to the Turkish paper, Sözcü, the lawmaker said ISIS uses its office in the city to recruit armed people.

Turkey has time and time again been accused of backing the ISIS terrorists in Syria.

ISIL controls parts of Iraq and Syria. The terrorists are engaged in crimes against humanity in the areas under their control. They have terrorized and killed people of all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, and Christians.

HN/HSN/SS