(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) ANKARA, Jan 26 (KUNA) -- Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim vowed Friday to repel any attack by terrorist and rebel groups targeting his country, official media reported.

The Turkish Premier made his remarks in light of recent cross-border rockets fired from Syria by insurgents from the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and landed on Turkish territories, according to Anadolu Agency.

"Turkey will not overlook cross-border rockets fired by PYD/PKK from Syria," Yildirim said at a meeting organized by Beyoglu Municipality in Istanbul.

Turkey fought hard against the so-called Islamic State (IS) in the 2,000-kilometer area during the Operation Euphrates Shield, which was launched by the Turkish army in August 2016.

Yildirim also criticized the US for arming "terror groups," wondering "a big country like the US has a huge army and potential, does it need terrorist organizations for its operations in the region? "This is clear hostility. Turkey will not allow this no matter who is behind it, regardless of its power and whatever the name it may have," Yildirim said, affirming that "no new entity on Turkey's southern border is acceptable." Since the start of Operation Olive Branch, Turkey's Hatay and Kilis provinces have been under deadly rocket attacks from the Syrian side. Turkish army retaliates in line with engagement rules. (end) rs.ma

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