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Turkish parliament approves to extend mandate for military operations in Iraq and Syria

Xinhua, September 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Turkish parliament on Thursday night approved the motion to extend mandate for military operations in Iraq and Syria, state-owned Anadolu Agency reported September 3.

The motion to introduce a one-year extension to the current mandate which is set to expire on Oct. 2 was submitted by the former cabinet on Aug. 21, citing "increased risks and threats against Turkey's national security along the southern land borders."

The parliament voted on Oct. 2, 2014 to authorize military action in Syria and Iraq to fight any group threatening the country, with the measure to be in effect for one year.

"The armed PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) terrorist elements continue their presence in northern Iraq. There is also a significant increase in the number of other terrorist elements in Syria and Iraq, as well as the threats they pose," stated in the motion.

The current mandate allows military incursions into Syria and Iraq against threats to Turkey and allows foreign forces to use Turkish territory for possible operations against the same threats, including the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S., Turkey and EU. Endit