Erdogan: A clash of civilizations is looming

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned today of a possible "clash of civilizations" following a wave of attacks by militant Islamists in Paris, also saying that last week's attack on the satirical magazine "Charlie Hebdo" in Paris hides attacks on Islam, reports the Patria news agency.

-We are following with great concern the attacks on Islam that are hidden behind the attacks on the satirical magazine in France, said Erdogan, who has become an increasingly vocal critic of what he considers growing Islamophobia in the West.

-Despite all our efforts to prevent it, the thesis of a clash of civilizations is coming true," the Turkish president stated today at a meeting with businessmen in Ankara.

Without mentioning names, Erdogan also clearly criticized the French authorities for allowing Hayat Boumeddiene, the wife of one of the armed attackers, to travel to Turkey in the days after the attack, and who is believed to be now in Syria.

-They talk about people passing through Turkey, but they should first learn how to check passports when these people leave their country, noted the Turkish president.

Turkey has increased border security after facing criticism that it allowed hundreds of European future militant activists to cross into neighboring Syria and join radical groups, including the Islamic State jihadist organization.

An unnamed French official said earlier this week that Paris-Ankara intelligence cooperation is strong and that Turkey is not to blame for not arresting Hayat Boumeddiene, reported the British agency Reuters.