Turkish parliament ratifies motion on Iraq, Syria

The Turkish parliament on Oct. 26 passed a motion that extends authorization for the government's troop deployment in Iraq and Syria for another two years.

The motion underlined that the developments in the regions adjacent to Turkey's southern land borders and the risks and threats posed by the ongoing environment of conflict increasingly continue. 

Turkey attaches great importance to the protection of the territorial integrity, national unity and stability of its neighbor Iraq, the motion said.

"On the other hand, the continued existence of PKK and ISIL elements in Iraq and the attempts against ethnic-based separatism pose a direct threat to regional peace, stability and the security of our country. Terrorist organizations, especially PKK/PYD-YPG and ISIL, continue their presence in Syria in the areas adjacent to our border, continuing their actions against our country, our national security and civilians," it said.

The motion drew attention to the fact that the terrorist organization PKK/PYD-YPG continues its separatist activities in Syria. It explained that measures were taken in line with the legitimate national security interests in order to preserve the peace and stability established in Turkey's areas of operation.
 It stressed that the risks and threats targeting the activities related to the establishment of stability and security in Idlib within the scope of the Astana process continue.

Within the scope of all these developments, "necessary measures in line with our rights arising from international law is of vital importance for our national security," against any action that may pose a threat to the national security, aimed at disrupting the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria and creating illegitimate fait...

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