France has been one of the most outspoken critics of Turkey's military operation against Kurdish militants in Syria’s northern region of Afrin.

Tensions between Paris and Ankara deteriorated after French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a delegation of the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) at the Elysee Palace on March 29.

"France, you are abetting terrorism, supporting it by then hosting them at the Elysee Palace," Erdogan told his supporters in the southwestern province of Denizli on Saturday, Press TV reported.

"You will not be able to explain this. You will not be able to rid yourself of this terror burden ... As long as the West nurtures these terrorists, you will sink," he added.

During the meeting at the Elysee Palace, which was also attended by representatives of Syria's Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) as well as some Arab and Christian figures, Macron promised support for US-backed Kurdish militants in northern Syria, which have been the target of a Turkish offensive.

The French president also promised to deploy more ground troops to the area while also providing humanitarian assistance and pushing for a diplomatic solution.

Reporter’s code: 50101