Turkey summons Swedish ambassador to protest Sweden's contact with SDF commander
The Turkish Foreign Ministry on April 20 summoned Sweden's ambassador to protest Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist's video call with SDF commander Mazloum Kobani.
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The Turkish Foreign Ministry on April 20 summoned Sweden's envoy to condemn a recent video conference that took place between Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Kobani.
The Turkish officials informed Ambassador Staffan Herrström about the country's discomfort as Sweden has increased its contacts with the SDF, state-run Anadolu Agency said, basing its report on diplomatic sources.
Herrström was reportedly told that “Sweden's dangerous policy not only supports figures who target Turkey's security and Syria's territorial integrity, but also violates international law and causes a serious damage to Turkey-Sweden bilateral ties.”
The move came after Hultqvist on April 19 held a video conference with Kobani, whose legal name is Ferhat Abdi Şahin and whom Turkey has been seeking with a red notice.
Footage of the meeting was released on various websites.
The two sides were said to have emphasized cooperation with regards to the fight against ISIS.
Turkey perceives the SDF as a terrorist organization by Turkey due to its links with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Backed and funded by the United States, the SDF fought against ISIS in northern Syria. Turkey launched military operations into Syria to drive the group away from its border.