FILE PHOTO. Reuters
Ankara: Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on June 19 harshly criticized a U.S. Senate decision to block F-35 sales to Turkey.
"The decision is an unfortunate development," Yildirim told reporters.
"Turkey is not without alternatives. Such attempts are regrettable and goes against the soul of strategic partnership," the prime minister said.
Yildirim's comments came after the U.S. Senate on June 18 passed a USD 716 billion defense policy bill including an amendment prohibiting sales to Turkey of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets made by Lockheed Martin Corp.
On the other hand, Yildirim said the data revealed cooperation between Fathullah Gulen and the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in carrying out the failed coup attempt in mid-July 2016.
He pointed out that some of the advanced weapons provided by the United States to PYD, the Syrian arm of PKK, in the framework of the fight against ISIS are being passed to PKK in northern Iraq and other areas. (QNA)
