×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Tuesday
13
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 9°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

Erdogan rebukes US security adviser over Kurdish militia comments

"Bolton has made a serious mistake and whoever thinks like this has also made a mistake"

Newsroom January 8 09:17

President Tayyip Erdogan rebuked Washington’s national security adviser on Tuesday for demanding that Turkey does not harm Kurdish fighters in Syria, accusing him of complicating U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to withdraw U.S. troops.

Erdogan said John Bolton, who met Turkish officials in Ankara on Tuesday but left Turkey without holding expected talks with the president, had “made a serious mistake” in setting conditions for Turkey’s military role after the U.S. pull-out.

Trump said last month he was bringing home the some 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria, saying they had succeeded in their mission to defeat Islamic State and that Turkey would take over the final stages of the military campaign.

His abrupt move sparked concern among officials in Washington and allies abroad and prompted Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to resign. It also alarmed the Kurdish YPG militia which has been Washington’s main ally against Islamic State in Syria, but is considered a terrorist organization by Ankara.

Before arriving in Turkey, Bolton had said that Turkey must coordinate military action with the United States and that no U.S. withdrawal would take place until Turkey guaranteed the Kurdish fighters would be safe.

However, Erdogan said Turkey would confront the YPG in the same way that it will take on Islamic State. “If they are terrorists, we will do what is necessary no matter where they come from,” he told members of his AK Party in parliament.

>Related articles

Tuesday the 13th: Why everyone thinks it’s bad luck

Mitsotakis at meeting with farmers opens the way for meaningful dialogue on the future of the primary sector

Karachalios responds to Karystianou: She is a serial liar, I have 600 messages, Gratsia and the elderly woman have “bewitched” her

“Bolton has made a serious mistake and whoever thinks like this has also made a mistake. It is not possible for us to make compromises on this point.”

Turkey had reached a clear understanding with Trump over the withdrawal plans, but “different voices have started emerging from different segments of the administration,” Erdogan said.

Read more HERE

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#army#canceled#diplomacy#forces#isis#John Bolton Trump security adviser#Justice and Development Party (AKP)#kurds#meeting#military#militia#negotiations#pkk#politics#syria#turkey#Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan#US President Donald Trump#usa#visit#world#YPG
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

“Digital noise” from outdated technology caused chaos in the Athens FIR – What the committee’s findings say

January 13, 2026

JPMorgan: Greece one of the most attractive markets for the Emerging Europe category

January 13, 2026

Kimon arrives at Faliro as Europe’s heavily armed frigate enters Greek waters

January 13, 2026

ELSTAT: Inflation up to 2.6% in December

January 13, 2026

Spain aims to control deepfakes created with AI

January 13, 2026

Le Pen’s party’s appeal to decide her presidential future begins

January 13, 2026

Pyrgos: man attacked his wife with a knife and then threatened to kill himself

January 13, 2026

Tuesday the 13th: Why everyone thinks it’s bad luck

January 13, 2026
All News

> Greece

“Digital noise” from outdated technology caused chaos in the Athens FIR – What the committee’s findings say

According to the report, the existing Voice Communications system of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) and the critical telecommunications infrastructure supporting it are based on outdated technology that is no longer supported by the manufacturer – Criticism over cooperation between the HCAA and OTE

January 13, 2026

Kimon arrives at Faliro as Europe’s heavily armed frigate enters Greek waters

January 13, 2026

Pyrgos: man attacked his wife with a knife and then threatened to kill himself

January 13, 2026

The Cypriot stewardess who did not board the fatal Falcon with the Libyan general was released by the Turkish authorities

January 13, 2026

Marasleio students presented innovative business ideas to Sophia Zacharaki

January 13, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα