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Erdogan Plays Refugee Card as Criticism Mounts Over Turkey's Kurdish
Offensive

Dorian Jones

   ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is threatening to
   "open the gates" to millions of refugees to enter Europe as criticism
   grows over Turkey's ongoing military operation against a Syrian Kurdish
   militia.

   "Hey, European Union! Pull yourself together," Erdogan said at a
   meeting of party supporters Thursday. "I repeat it: If you try to
   describe our operation as an invasion, we will do what's easy for us:
   we will open the doors and send 3.6 million refugees to you," he added,
   to rapturous applause.

   Erdogan's threat comes as the European Union and individual leaders in
   Europe are voicing criticism and calls for an end to Turkey's major
   military offensive against the YPG Kurdish militia.

   Ankara launched the offensive Wednesday against the YPG, which it
   designates as a terrorist organization linked to Kurdish insurgents
   inside Turkey. The second day of fighting saw an intensification of
   airstrikes and artillery barrages against the militia.

   Tens of thousands of people are reported to have already fled the
   fighting, with growing numbers of civilian casualties.

   "Turkey is putting millions of people at humanitarian risk," French
   President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday at a news conference.

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