Erdogan vows to 'crush the heads' of Kurdish fighters if ceasefire fails
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Saturday to resume attacks on what he called "terrorists" - if a ceasefire agreement between Turkey and the Syrian Kurdish YPG milita breaksdown or the five-day deadline passes.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRESIDENT, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, SAYING:
"If it works, it works. If it doesn't, the minute 120 hours expire, we will continue from where we left and keep crushing the heads of the terrorists."
The Turkish leader, speaking at a military rally, also said he would discuss the deployment of Syrian government forces in a planned "safe zone" in northern Syria during talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin next week.
(SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRESIDENT, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, SAYING:
"As you know, (Syrian) regime forces, who are under the protection of Russia, are present in some parts of our operation area. We will discuss this matter with Mr. (Vladimir) Putin on Tuesday because we have to find a solution. The same situation holds true for that area as well. Again, if it works, it works. If it doesn't we will continue to implement our own plans."
A truce between Turkey and the Kurds was brokered by the United States on Thursday, with both parties agreeing to hold back attacks for five days to allow Kurdish fighters to withdraw to a safe zone.
