Turkish PM vows not to allow fall of Azaz in Syria

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday that Turkey will not allow the fall of Azaz town of Syria's Aleppo province to the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD).

"We will not allow the fall of Azaz. This must be clear to all in the world," Davutoglu was quoted as saying by state-run Anatolia News Agency.

Azaz, in northern Syria near the Turkish border, is seen as a critical corridor that connects with bordering Turkey.

"For the moment, YPG elements have been driven out from Azaz's surroundings," Davutoglu said while en route to pay a visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.

He vowed take a "severe response" if the military wing of the PYD tried to approach the Syrian town.

The PYD is the Syrian affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union.

Turkish officials have repeatedly said that they will not allow the Kurds in Syria to expand more near the Turkish border.

The latest escalation also came as talk about a ground intervention by Saudi and Turkey troops in Syria have made headlines in recent days.

Observers say such an intervention will spark even more chaos in the war-torn country.

Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said any foreign troops entering Syria without the consent of the government "will be sent home in wooden coffins." Endit