Erdogan urged to 'stop fighting ISIS and build NUCLEAR WEAPONS' by Turkish newspaper

The editor of the Turkish daily, Yeni Safak, which translates to New Dawn, claims that Turkey should stop attacking the enemies of the West, thought to mean Islamic State, and focus on the “terrorism threat” within its own borders.

Ibrahim Karagul, who penned the column in the president Tayyip Erdogan-supporting daily, hinted that the nation should instead be addressing the issue of Kurdish groups – which have been declared terrorist organisations by the country.

Yeni Safak editor Mr Karagul said: “We do not have to waste our strength on their [the West’s] enemies while these financiers of terrorism invade our country and cities through terrorist organisations”.

He added: “We should focus on our own priorities and our own definitions of threats.

“We are not Europe’s border guard, counter-terror team or refugee prevention force, and we should no longer act as such.”

His comments come as Turkey officials have blasted Western nations for backing the Kurdish People’s Protection Unit (YPG) in the fight against ISIS.

Britons and Americans are among the volunteers who are currently in Syria battling depraved Islamic State alongside the YPG.

But their presence has angered the Turkish government.

Yunus Akbaba, spokesman for the Turkish prime minister Binali Yilderim, said: “These are terrorist groups and anyone fighting under their banner will be considered terrorists.

“Turkish forces will confront them if they are fighting under the banner of terrorist groups, regardless of whether they are members of allied countries.”

Mr Karagul also claims a global showdown is imminent and that any nation without weapons will not survive.

He continued: “There is a major, historical plan behind the despicable attacks we see in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and in almost all of Europe.

“The enmity toward Turkey, which they started on top of enmity toward Islam, is not limited to elections alone. It will not get better after elections either.

“We must prepare according to this new situation.

“It is necessary to reach an extraordinary state to become adequate in all kinds of defence, including nuclear weapons.”

He added: “The Western world is old now and has entered a period of stagnation.

“It is not as strong and determinant as it was after the two world wars.

“The future of the world can be shaped through the differentiation of the East and West.”

Mr Karagul’s comments come after an Imam close to the Turkish president claimed the Islamic Republic should ignore the “rules set by the West” and build its own nuclear weapons.

Turkey is preparing for a referendum on April 16 where voters will decided whether to grant Mr Erdogan more powers.

Mr Karagul said: “It is necessary to look at the entirety of this picture while discussing Turkey’s fight and the new Western attacks aimed at Turkey.

“If not, determining a position for Turkey based solely on positions within the country is the indication of terrible blindness.”