Skip to main content

Turkey extends troops' deployment in Iraq and Syria

Turkey's parliament has approved the extension of a mandate that allows the deployment of troops in Iraq and Syria if faced with national security threats.

The move on Saturday came two day before an independence referendum in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region - a vote denounced by Ankara as a "mistake" and a threat to its security and regional stability.

The motion was backed by members of parliament (MPs) from the ruling Justice and Development Party, as well as the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party. MPs from the People's Democratic Party (HDP) voted against it.

The mandate had previously allowed the Turkish military to carry out cross-border operations from October 2, 2016, until October 31, 2017.

The motion said that Turkey places great importance on the protection of Iraq's territorial integrity, national unity and stability.

The bill read in parliament listed combating Kurdish fighters in Syria and Iraq and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant armed group as national security requirements for Turkey.

It also emphasised the importance of Iraq and Syria's territorial integrity and said "separatism based on ethnicity" poses a threat to both Turkey and regional stability.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) plans to hold the referendum on support for independence in three governorates that make up the region in northern Iraq, and in some disputed areas, including the oil-rich province of Kirkuk and parts of Nineveh province.

Baghdad is vehemently opposed to the vote, which has also alarmed neighbouring Turkey, which has a large Kurdish minority. Iran and Syria also worry that the vote will encourage secessionist ideas among their own Kurdish minorities.

KRG President Masoud Barzani reiterated on Saturday that any postponement of the vote is out of question.

"Holding a referendum is the decision of the people," Barzani said as he met with French ambassador to Iraq Bruno Aubert at his residence in Erbil, according to a statement issued by his office.

The poll would not be postponed but be held on schedule, he added.

Earlier on Saturday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim blasted the referendum as "adventurism" that puts Turkey at risk.

"With our 80 million citizens and the 780,000 square kilometers of our homeland, we will never tolerate any adventurism for our country's security or the welfare of our nation," he told reporters in the central Anatolian province of Kirsehir.

Calling the referendum the "wrong decision," Yildirim added: "As a neighbouring country, Turkey has given the necessary warning in a friendly way since the beginning. But we see that these warnings have not been heeded."

Iraq's Kurdistan pushes ahead with referendum despite pressure

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

IPOB plans Biafra referendum, to announce date soon – Powerful

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that plans were at advanced stages in preparation for the first in its three-stage referendum process towards the peaceful, non-violent restoration of the nation of Biafra. IPOB said its decision to hold the first of the three plebiscite later this year has vindicated IPOB’s resilience in sticking to the principles of non-violent agitation for Biafra, in the face of government brutality and treachery from enemies within. A statement by the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, said that efforts geared towards the first referendum is gathering unstoppable momentum with dates for the exercise to be announced imminently, adding that 40 million ballot papers were being printed and readied for distribution to every clan and village in Biafraland for all adults over the age of 18 to express their preference. Powerful said, “Through this age old democratic process, IPOB shall return power to the  long suffering...
Post a Comment
Read more

Russian jets make first foray into south-west Syria.

The US has warned Syrian rebels in the south-west of the country they should not expect military support to help them resist a major government offensive. The message from Washington comes as Russian jets struck an opposition-held town on Sunday in the first air cover provided by Moscow to an expanding Syrian army offensive in the strategic area bordering Jordan and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The US message sent to heads of the Free Syrian Army said Washington wanted to make clear that “you should not base your decisions on the assumption or expectation of a military intervention by us”. The Syrian army began ramping up its assault last week in order to recapture the area. Washington had warned the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, and his Russian allies that violations of a “de-escalation” zone agreed by the US and Russia last year would have “serious repercussions” and pledged “firm and appropriate measures”. The US ambass...
Post a Comment
Read more

Blockchain Embassy Opens for Business in Panama City

A new location for bitcoin and cryptocurrency enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, activists, iconoclasts, connoisseurs, and the general public has opened in Panama. It is called the  Blockchain Embassy . It is located in the  Balboa Boutiques Strip Mal l  of Balboa Avenue in Panama City.  Information on the Blockchain Embassy The space has crypto clothing and other merchandise for sale. It has a cafeteria, craft beers for sale, hardware wallets on display, a coffee shop, and even a working space. A press release sent to  bitcoin . com , said the  embassy  will also start giving cryptocurrency workshops and presentations. Everyone is welcome to come and engage with the Panama crypto community. The Embassy press release elaborated on how it accepts payment and provided more information: The embassy accepts payments in cash and Crypto, and has become an emblematic tourist site in Panama. It receives visitors from all over the world. It is one of th...
Post a Comment
Read more