Turkey’s Erdogan threatens to release millions of refugees into Europe over criticism of Syria offensive

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened Europe with a flood of refugees if the continent’s leaders call the Turkish invasion of Syria an “occupation” during a speech to local lawmakers Thursday.

“We will open the gates and send 3.6 million refugees your way,” Erdogan said, according to Reuters, while speaking to officials from his ruling AK Party.

A Turkish offensive in northern Syria has been underway since Wednesday, with airstrikes and artillery fire targeting U.S.-allied Kurdish forces on the ground.

The operation began just days after President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement withdrawing U.S. troops from a part of Syria that had been reclaimed in a bloody and drawn-out war between the U.S.-led coalition and the so-called Islamic State. Trump framed his decision as one that would hand the responsibility of containing IS to the Turks.