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Speaking at the weekly group meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has announced that the Turkish Air Forces has joined the air operation launched in Mosul.
Recalling President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s words; “We will both participate in the operation and negotiations”, Yıldırım according to the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) said; “Our air forces have also participated in the airstrikes by coalition forces. Those, who claim ‘Turkey had no business in Mosul’, got their answers”.
Iraq had said “no deal” earlier today
In a statement following the meeting he had with authorities from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey earlier today (October 18), Ahmet Cemal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson of Iraq had stated that they had not reached an agreement on Turkey’s participation in Mosul.
“The suggestions made by the Turkish committee did not meet the demands and expectations of the Iraqi Government. The Republic of Turkey should respect Iraq’s sovereignty and should withdraw its soldiers from Bashiqa camp”.
CLICK: IRAQI PM ABADI: NEVER ALLOWED TURKISH SOLDIERS ON IRAQI LANDS
“Don’t need permission by anyone”
Commenting on the Euphrates Shield operation, Prime Minister Yıldırım has noted;
“We have cleaned Jarablus, then Rai and finally Dabık from the DEAŞ (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - ISIS) organization. [...] That way, we have pretty much prevented missile attacks launched by terrorists of DEAŞ on our country, on Kilis.
“Everyone should know this; we will immediately do what is necessary without hesitation to prevent any risk addressing Turkey. We neither need permission or consent by anyone to do so. Turkey will keep on ensuring the safety of its borders no matter what”.
“There is another agenda”
“At this point, half of Iraq has gone under the control of organizations such as PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), YPG (People’s Protection Units), and DEAŞ. The other half is being protected owing to the international forces.
“Those who can’t see this, surrender their countries to terror and bend before terrorism, now stand before us and make big talks.
“Why? Because, there is another agenda. No one should get offended but we will not allow such ‘done deals’ right beside our borders.
“We don’t have an eye on anybody’s lands. We have only one concern; to stop the bloodshed and cruelty”. (EKN/DG)
* Photograph: Ahmet İzgi / Anadolu Agency (AA)
