Turkey’s cross-border operations to continue as necessary, says Deputy PM

Turkey's deputy prime minister and government spokesman on Wednesday said that Turkey had carried out counterterrorism operations in Iraq’s Qandil and would continue to conduct such cross-border operations as necessary to protect its national security and eliminate terror threats.

“Operations in northern Iraq did not start today, we have had troops there for a long time and operations are ongoing. Qandil is a terror nest. The Turkish army has conducted extensive operations targeting Qandil before. Operations will continue when necessary,” Bekir Bozdağ said.

“Turkey is continuing its struggle against the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] in a resolute manner. We must continue this struggle 365 days a year. Our offense policy has delivered a great blow to terror. As of today, the terrorist organization has lost its ability to conduct planned terror activities. We have carried out a successful fight against terror everywhere,” he added.

Airstrikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq, where the terror group has its main base in the Mt. Qandil region, near the Iranian border, have been carried out regularly since July 2015, when the PKK resumed its armed campaign.

“There is a period that leads to a terror state through a corridor on Turkey’s borders. We ended this period with Operation Euphrates Shield. We cleared the region of Daesh and PKK terrorists. Following this, we eliminated YPG [People’s Protection Units], PKK and Daesh terrorists with Operation Olive Branch. If the steps Turkey expects are not taken in the region, then we will do it ourselves,” Bozdağ said.

“The east of the Euphrates will be cleared of PKK terrorists. Of course we prioritize that a political solution is reached [in Syria] but if these [terror elements] are not cleared, Turkey has the right to protect its national security. Turkey has the right to eliminate terror threats,” he added.

In its 30-year-plus terrorist campaign against Turkey, the PKK has been responsible for some 40,000 deaths.

The timetable reached with the U.S. for ridding terrorists and establishing stability in Manbij, Syria is very clear," Bozdağ saıd.

"There is a very clear timetable. Ninety days of it were planned clearly, what and when will be done, all were designated," Bozdağ said.

The roadmap on Manbij was announced after a meeting in Washington on Monday between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and stability in the region.

Bozdağ said not only Manbij but also the area east of the Euphrates River will also be cleared of YPG/PKK.

"Of course, we prioritize [reaching] a solution east of the Euphrates with a political agreement like in Manbij," he added.