Turkey may launch ground operation in Iraq if threatened: FM

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said yesterday Ankara could launch a ground operation in Iraq to remove any threats to Turkey that may arise, reports AFP.
“If there is a threat posed to Turkey, we are ready to use all our resources including a ground operation... to eliminate that threat,” Cavusoglu said in an interview with Kanal 24 broadcaster. “It is our most natural right,” he added.
Cavusoglu referred to Turkey’s ambitious offensive in Syria as an example of how Turkey took the threat to its security seriously. Since August 24, Ankara has supported opposition rebels to clear the Islamic State group (IS) from its border and halt the westward advance of the Syrian Kurdish militia YPG.
Turkey views the YPG (People’s Protection Units) as a terror group linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is waging an insurgency in Turkey’s southeast.
The PKK is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union but Washington believes the YPG is the most effective force against IS in Syria.
The PKK has bases in the Qandil mountains in northern Iraq which the Turkish military regularly hits with its warplanes.
Cavusoglu said any threat against Turkey in neighbouring regions of Iraq—including the northern district of Sinjar—could draw a response. “If the threat to us increases (there), we can deal with them using our rights under international law and our strength including a ground operation,” he added.

 

Turkey may launch ground operation in Iraq if threatened: FM

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said yesterday Ankara could launch a ground operation in Iraq to remove any threats to Turkey that may arise, reports AFP. If there is a threat posed to Turkey, we are ready to use all our resources including a ground operation... to eliminate that threat, Cavusoglu said in an interview with Kanal 24 broadcaster. It is our most natural right, he added. Cavusoglu referred to Turkeys ambitious offensive in Syria as an example of how Turkey took the threat to its security seriously. Since August 24, Ankara has supported opposition rebels to clear the Islamic State group (IS) from its border and halt the westward advance of the Syrian Kurdish militia YPG. Turkey views the YPG (Peoples Protection Units) as a terror group linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is waging an insurgency in Turkeys southeast. The PKK is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union but Washington believes the YPG is the most effective force against IS in Syria. The PKK has bases in the Qandil mountains in northern Iraq which the Turkish military regularly hits with its warplanes. Cavusoglu said any threat against Turkey in neighbouring regions of Iraqincluding the northern district of Sinjarcould draw a response. If the threat to us increases (there), we can deal with them using our rights under international law and our strength including a ground operation, he added.