The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, held an interview on Sunday with the French channel “LCI”, in which he tackled Turkey’s regional agenda.
During the interview, the Foreign Minister accused Turkey of sending mercenaries to Libya and Karabakh, saying that Ankara has an expansionist ambition.
Le Drian also pointed out that Turkey is occupying parts of northern Iraq and is questioning the sovereignty of Cyprus and Greece in the eastern Mediterranean.
Regarding the danger facing the French, Le Drian said, “The level of the terrorist threat facing the French abroad is as high as ever, and we have taken the necessary measures to ensure the protection of our citizens.”
“We have taken the necessary measures in coordination with the Pakistani authorities to protect our citizens in Pakistan after the anti-French demonstrations,” he added.
In a related context, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, accused Russia and Turkey of pursuing a “strategy” aimed at inflaming anti-French sentiments on the African continent, taking advantage of “post-colonial resentment.”
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) announced that the total number of mercenaries sent by Turkey to Libya amounted to 18,000 Syrians, in addition to 2,500 Tunisians.
In a statement, SOHR added that the mercenaries included around 350 children under 18 years of age.
10,750 mercenaries have already returned to Syria after the end of their contracts and taking their financial dues.
SOHR also confirmed that there are currently about 10,000 Turkish-backed Jihadists in Libya, including 2,500 holders of Tunisian nationality.