Turkey discusses continued military operation in Iraq, Syria

The Turkish Prime Ministry today submitted a motion in the Parliament which will extend the state’s authority for another year to launch cross-border military operations in northern Iraq and Syria.

The motion, which was submitted by Binali Yildirim’s Justice and Development (AK) Party government, had previously allowed the Turkish military to carry out cross-border operations from 2 October 2016 until 31 October 2017.

The motion stated: “The existence of PKK and Daesh in Iraq, poses a direct threat to regional peace, stability and the security of our country.”

The Parliament will hold an extraordinary session to debate the extension of the military mandate tomorrow.

During the parliamentary session, the deputies will debate whether the same motion should be extended, or a new motion should be drafted.

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The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) today also gave a green light to the motion.

The opposition Nationalist Movement Party’s (MHP) parliamentary deputy group chairman told the Anadolu Agency that his party will support the motion.

The decision to hold the parliamentary session came after the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq refused to cancel the regional independence referendum slated for Monday.

The non-binding referendum will see residents of Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Iraq vote on full independence from Baghdad.

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The US and UN have also spoken out against the poll, saying it would distract from operations against Daesh and lead to greater regional instability.

Baghdad has threatened to intervene militarily if the vote results in violence. KRG President Masoud Barzani has said a “yes” vote would not initiate a declaration of independence but would lead to negotiations with the Iraqi government.