Turkish parliament confirms motion on Iraq, Syria

Turkish parliament on Oct. 7 ratified a motion extending authorization to launch cross-border anti-terrorist operations in northern Iraq and Syria.

The ruling Justice and Development AKP, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and two other opposition parties, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Good Party (İYİ) backed the motion. The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), however, voted against the motion.

The motion, submitted on Thursday by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government, would allow the Turkish military to carry out cross-border operations in northern Iraq and Syria for another year, from Oct. 30, 2020 until Oct. 30, 2021.

The motion states that Turkey places great importance on protecting Iraq’s territorial integrity, national unity, and stability.

“However, the existence of [terrorist groups] PKK and Daesh [ISIL] in Iraq poses a direct threat to regional peace, stability and the security of our country,” it added.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU — has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is its Syrian branch.

The terrorist PKK often uses northern Iraq, just across the Turkish border, to plot cross-border terror attacks in Turkey. Turkey uses its rights under international law, as well as in operations this summer, to pursue these terrorists at their hideouts.

ISIL terrorists have allotted multiple attacks against Turkey, including a minimum of ten suicide bombings, seven bombings, and 4 armed attacks, that killed 315 individuals and black-and-blue many others.

In response, Turkey launched military and police operations reception and abroad to stop more attacks.

Meanwhile, the motion additionally says Turkey has continued security responsibilities in northern Asian nation, east of the Euphrates River and within the Idlib province, in line with its legitimate security interests.

Since 2016, many Turkish cross-border operations in northwestern Syria have liberated the region from YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists, making it possible for Syrians who fled the violence to return home.

Turkey has long decried the threat from terrorists in northern Syria, pledging military action to prevent the formation of a “terrorist corridor” there.