Turkey not bound by Syria truce deal if security threatened: PM

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says Turkey will not honor a planned cessation of hostilities in war-hit Syria if its security is threatened.

“This ceasefire is actually for Syria, for the sides that are within its borders," Davutoglu told journalists on Thursday, Press TV reported.

"If threats arise against our national security from any of the sides, this ceasefire will not place its obligations on us. In such a case Turkey will ask no one permission and will do what needs to be done.”

Turkey has been heavily shelling the positions of Syrian Kurdish militants who are fighting Takfiri terror groups near the two countries' border.

Davutoglu said that Turkey would take “necessary measures” against the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) if need be.

The United States and Russia announced on February 22 that they had reached a deal for a “cessation of hostilities” in Syria, which would begin on February 27.

The Syrian government has said it accepts the terms of the deal on the condition that military efforts against Takfiri terrorists and the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front terrorists continue.

Meanwhile, there is confusion whether the Saudi-backed opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) will commit itself to the truce deal.

While some reports say the HNC is ready for a two-week truce, chief opposition negotiator Mohammed Alloush said on Wednesday the opposition has yet to decide on the issue.

SS