MHP leader accuses US of harboring terrorists

ANKARA

Opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has accused the United States of harboring members of the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) in the country and supporting the People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Syria, which Ankara sees as an affiliate of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

“If the U.S. is suffering from terrorism, one should question why FETÖ members are residing in Pennsylvania,” he told party members in parliament on Nov. 7, referring to the U.S.-based Fethullah Gülen, believed to be the mastermind of last year’s coup attempt in Turkey.

He condemned recent terror attacks in the U.S., but said they expect the same “conscientious approach” from the U.S. administration as well.

Bahçeli said arms used by PKK militants were U.S.-made, a claim based on the U.S.’s support to the YPG in Syria.

The U.S. and Europe “is FETÖ’s lawyer,” Bahçeli said.

He claimed the U.S. was behind recent developments happening in the region, including the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri.