The Turkish authorities will do what is necessary to prevent US-allied Syrian Kurdish rebels from declaring an autonomous region near the Turkish border, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
"Turkey doesn't need permission from anyone, we will do what is necessary," Reuters cited him as saying.
The head of state does not rule out the possibility of military operations.
Erdogan's statement came after the Kurds announced the establishment of an autonomy in the town of Tel Abyad near the Turkish border. Ankara believes that these plans threaten its national security.
