Erdoğan says Turkish intelligence chief meeting Iraqi official over Sinjar
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey's intelligence chief would meet an Iraqi official on Monday to discuss an Iraqi military operation in the northern Sinjar region, where Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) terrorists have established a base.
Speaking before leaving for a summit with European Union leaders, Erdoğan also said Turkey's will do "what is necessary" if the Iraqi government operation in Sinjar failed.
“We hope that the Iraqi Central Government is on top of this operation in Sinjar. If there is an issue with achieving success in this [operation] then lets hold our bilateral talks. We [Turkey] will take the necessary steps in Sinjar as well,” he added.
Erdoğan noted that Sinjar is located about 60-70 kilometers away from Turkey’s border, stressing that his country has “no more tolerance” for presence of terrorists in Sinjar.
Erdoğan affirmed the reports that PKK terrorists were withdrawing from the Sinjar district and Iraqi troops were being deployed to the region, saying that the Iraqi army did intervene against the terrorists. Erdoğan also announced the impending arrival of an Iraqi official to Turkey in order to provide information regarding latest developments.
The official is to meet with Hakan Fidan, the head of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT), Erdoğan said.
He added that Turkey was ready to take all necessary measures in case of a possible threat to the country.
The PKK first established a foothold in Sinjar in 2014 on the pretext that it was “protecting” the local Ezidi community from the Daesh terrorist group.
Turkish President also recently hinted at the possibility of a military campaign aimed at dislodging the PKK from Sinjar.
Regarding Syria's Manbij region, Erdoğan once again called on the U.S. to transfer the control of Manbij from YPG/PKK terrorist organization to the city’s “real owners”.
Turkey will ask the European Union to lift all obstacles to its membership and remains committed to the accession process, Erdoğan said
The president added that he would also discuss what Turkey sees as the failure of the bloc to keep its promises regarding Syrian refugees.
The summit will be held at the Black Sea port of Varna. Turkey remains a candidate for EU membership despite years of stalled talks.
