President Tayyip Erdoğan to ask Donald Trump to impose no-fly zone over Syria

Turkish leader says he wants a 'terror-free safe zone' in the region that borders Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Reuters)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he will raise the issue of a no-fly zone over Syria with US President-elect Donald Trump.

Mr Erdoğan said he wanted a “terror-free safe zone” in the north of Syria to protect the region that borders Turkey.

The President also added the formation of a new state in northern Syria would never be allowed.

“We have been saying this from the beginning. If this isn't dealt with, Gaziantep is always hanging by a thread, Kilis is always hanging by a thread, Sanliurfa is hanging by a thread,” Mr Erdoğan said, mentioning the three Turkish provinces that border Syria, Turkish news agency Anadolu reported.

“We decided that day that we would take an active role in Syria. The north of Syria is a region of threat for Turkey. We believe that there should be a safe zone, free from terrorism. If not, Gaziantep and Kilis will always be under threat,” he added.

Western Allies have argued in the past for the implementation of a no-fly zone against the Syrian Army.

It would be used in a similar fashion to the Nato-imposed no-fly zone that was placed on Libya in 2011.