Turkey's Defense Minister Işık says that the military reinforcement on the Iraqi border is a precaution taken against 'all kinds of scenarios'
Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Işık said the military reinforcement along the border line with Syria and Iraq was a part of Turkey's preparation against all kinds of scenarios in the neighboring countries.
“We are preparing for every probability,” Işık told Turkish private channel Ahaber in Ankara during a live interview.
His statement comes amid a report on the deployment of many Turkish tanks and armored vehicles to the southern border.
According to a military source, who asked to remain anonymous due to restrictions on talking to the media, a large number of tanks from the 28th Mechanized Infantry Brigade were seen leaving Ankara for Silop.
The deployment of the Turkish military to an area near the Iraqi border is related to the fight against terrorism and developments in Iraq, Işık said.
He also stated that Turkey has "no obligation" to wait behind its borders and will do what is necessary, if terrorists from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) take a foothold in Iraq's Sinjar region.
Turkey's armed forces have begun deploying tanks and other armored vehicles to the Silopi area of the southeastern Şırnak province near the Iraqi border, military sources said earlier.
The deployment comes after President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday Turkey was aiming to reinforce its troops there, saying Ankara would have a "different response" for Shi'ite militia groups that "cause terror" in the Iraqi city of Tal Afar.
Tal Afar, some 170 km (106 miles) from Silopi, is home to a sizeable ethnic Turkmen population with historic and cultural ties to Turkey.
Şırnak province, where Silopi is located, is also one of the main areas of the Turkish military's recent operations against PKK terrorist, who have bases in northern Iraq.
He also touched upon the ongoing Mosul offensive in northern Iraq, underlining that Ankara was working with the Baghdad administration and the coalition forces fighting Daesh in the city.
The Minister reiterated that Turkey was a part of the U.S.-led international coalition in Mosul operation and Turkish fighter jets were ready to join the combat according to an agreement.
He admitted that the jets had not yet launched airstrikes on Daesh in Mosul, but “they will do it whenever needed”.
Another military deployment happened on Monday when a large number of tanks and armored vehicles stationed in a border town of Gaziantep province near Syria.
The new reinforcement is expected to join the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army's (FSA) operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria.
“Turkey will not tolerate any terrorist organization,” Işık vowed, adding that the operation Euphrates Shield will continue till the terror threats are eliminated from border cities in northern Syria.
Operation Euphrates Shield (OES), a Turkish military-backed Free Syrian Army's (FSA) counter terrorism campaign in northern Syria, was launched on Aug. 24 to clear border cities from Daesh and PYD terror groups.
An area around 1,300 square kilometers has already been cleared and security has been established in the region. Thousands of Syrians returned to their homes from Turkey.
Turkish President Erdoğan said a week ago that the OES will advance toward the south and would clear areas from terrorists totaling 5,000 sq km.
Işık said that terror group PYD, which captured the northern Syrian city of Manbij earlier this year, must leave the city and withdraw themselves to the eastern part of Euphrates River; otherwise FSA would drive them away with the support of Turkish military.
He highlighted that “important developments” would happen in Manbij.
While speaking on an upcoming U.S.-led operation in Daesh's so-called capital of Raqqa, where Turkey could participate actively, Işık said Ankara's first condition was not using PYD elements in the coalition forces.
He said that Aleppo was facing the worst human catastrophe in the world. “Our expectation is a peaceful solution in Aleppo,” Işık said, while responding to reports that Russia can launch a full scale airstrike on the city.
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