Turkey warns West against ignoring Islamophobia

ANKARA

Turkey warned the West on Wednesday about ignoring Islamophobia, saying doing so could fuel further deadly attacks.

"Ignoring Islamophobia can lay the groundwork for similar terror attacks” as last week’s New Zealand mosque attacks, said Turkey’s National Security Council in a statement, adding that those attacks showed hostility towards Turkey, referring to anti-Turkish messages in the terrorist's manifesto.

In a regular meeting, the council also firmly condemned the terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch and the killing of "innocent people for their beliefs."

At least 50 Muslims were killed and as many injured when Australian-born Brenton Tarrant, 28, entered the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch and targeted those inside with gunfire, including four children under age 18 shot dead in cold blood.

The council also said that Turkey will continue to fight all terrorist groups with unwavering determination and will never allow the formation of a terrorist corridor along the country’s southern borders.

It added that migration from Syria cannot he halted without clearing terror groups from Manbij, Syria and east of the Euphrates and ensuring stability there.

Turkey has promised to launch an operation against terrorist PYD/YPG forces in Syria, east of the Euphrates.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children. The PYD/YPG is its Syrian branch.

Separately, the council stated that it reviewed security measures to ensure peaceful local elections on March 31.

Turkey has taken all security measures for the upcoming local elections, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said earlier on Tuesday.

"We are sure that the election will take place in a secure environment without any problems," he said.

A total of 12 political parties are competing in the polls.