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Turkey's Erdogan Threatens EU with Wave of Refugees If It Doesn't Support Syria Offensive
(Wall Street Journal) David Gauthier-Villars - Turkish President Erdogan threatened to allow waves of Syrian refugees to head for European shores if his country doesn't receive adequate support for its military offensive in Syria targeting U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. In a televised speech, the Turkish president said, "Hey EU, get your act together. If you try to describe our current operation as an occupation, our task will be simple. We will open the gates and send 3.6 million refugees your way." The offensive has drawn broad political and popular support in Turkey, but elicited near-unanimous condemnation outside the country - including from the U.S., the EU and China. A senior U.S. State Department official said the incursion was a mistake and "we will try our very best to get this thing stopped." Asked what actions by Turkey would cross a U.S. red line, the official named ethnic cleansing or "indiscriminate artillery, air and other fire directed at civilian populations."