Al-Bab model can be used in Raqqah: Turkish deputy PM

ANKARA, TURKEY - FEBRUARY 20: Turkish deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus speaks at a press conference after a meeting of the Council of Ministers in Ankara, Turkey on February 20, 2017. Kurtulmus has said the international community should support the local population in Raqqah once the city is cleared of Daesh terrorists. Speaking after a meeting of the Council of Ministers in Ankara on Monday, Kurtulmus shared Turkey's point of view over the joint operation to recapture the Syrian city of Raqqah from the Daesh terror group. He gave the example of Syria's Al-Bab city where the native population was expected to be allowed to settle in once it gets cleared of Daesh. "We can use the same model in Raqqah. International community should support the capable local population in Raqqah, which consists of the [local] population of the city. Turkey, U.S., and other elements can give logistic support to this city. [This city] should not be left in the hands of other terrorist organizations," he says. He also said Turkey's position on terrorist organizations would never change, no matter what other countries do. "Our position against terrorist organizations will never change. Both Daesh and PKK will be seen as terrorist organizations," he says. (Footage by Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)