Turkey submits new mandate for northern Iraq to parliament
Güncelleme Tarihi:
The Turkish government submitted Monday a parliamentary motion for a one-year extension of the authorization for cross-border operations in northern Iraq, Turkish TV channels reported. Opposition parties CHP and MHP offered their support to the motion. (UPDATED)
The terrorist threat and attacks by outlawed PKK separatists, which took shelter in the north of Iraq, continued against peace, security, national unity and territorial integrity of Turkey, the motion said.
Turkey attached importance to the protection of territorial integrity, national unity and the stability of Iraq, it added.
The validity of the current motion will expire Oct. 17.
Officials from both Turkey's opposition parties, the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), offered their support to the motion, while pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) officials declared their opposition.
Turkey, provided with intelligence by the United States, has stepped up military action against the outlawed separatist PKK since December. Turkey has been carrying out several air strikes and a week-long ground incursion into northern Iraq in February, where more than 2,000 PKK terrorists take refuge.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist group by much of the international community including the United States and the EU.
Photo: DHA