Turkish Islamic-conservative government announced Tuesday evening have tabled in Parliament a draft resolution to be discussed on Thursday, authorizing the army to intervene in Iraq and Syria against jihadist group Islamic State (EI). This text, which must be renewed for one year authorizations previously given to the Turkish army, provides the opportunity to conduct military operations on the territory of its two neighbors and parking or passage of foreign soldiers in Turkey who would participate, said his spokesman Bulent Arinc.
The text “includes all these options,” said Mr. Arinc by reporting to the press of the work of the Cabinet.
“It will give a very broad mandate, so that we did not need another text in the future. This is a good text, I hope, will unanimously, “said he added. The draft resolution prepared by the government is expanding two different texts that were voted annually by Parliament.
One on Iraq formerly permitted Turkey to conduct strikes against the rear bases of the rebel Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) installed in the Kandil Mountains in the far north of Iraq.
The second allowed the military to retaliate against routinely fire that reached Turkish soil from Syria.
“The risks and threats to our national security to the southern land border have increased dramatically,” said the motion, which AFP has obtained a copy.
The document authorizes the substance of the Ankara authorities “take all measures” to defeat these risks including allowing Turkish troops “if necessary to engage in actions and interventions across borders and send this late soldiers in foreign countries. “
The authority may decide to convene a closed session to vote for the motion to be adopted without problem, the government ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) with an absolute majority in the National Assembly.
After explicitly denied, Turkey now seems ready to contribute in turn to military intervention initiated by the coalition formed by the United States against the radical Sunni fighters of IE, accused of multiple abuses in Iraq and Syria, with which it shares a border of 1,250 km.
Enclave –
Accused of the most extremist armed rebel groups engaged in the war against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose EI, Ankara has totally changed his tune after release, Sept. 20, 46 of its nationals removed in June at its consulate in Mosul (Iraq) by EI.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, scheduled to open Wednesday the new parliamentary session, repeated in recent days that he was ready to do “what is necessary” to fight the IE within the coalition.
He has also spoken to the creation of a “buffer zone” to remain vague contours in northern Syria to receive refugees and secure the border. One of the leaders of the main Kurdish party in Turkey went on Tuesday in the Syrian town of Ain al-Arab besieged by IE and urged Turkey to act quickly to help its Kurdish population.
“If everyone combines their strengths, no one can beat a people defending a just cause,” pleaded the co-chairman of People’s Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas on his return to the Turkish border post Mursitpinar, a few kilometers barely Ain al-Arab.
The Turkish army has reinforced its security Monday in the area. Fifty tanks, armored vehicles and other artillery were deployed Tuesday against Syria, according to an AFP photographer.
The offensive jihadists in the region, which began in mid-September, has prompted more than 160,000 people to seek refuge in Turkey.
The Turkish government also said Tuesday that the jihadists had approached the historic tomb of Suleiman Shah, a Turkish enclave in Syrian territory, but denied press reports claiming that 36 Turkish soldiers responsible for its protection were captured.
(AFP, Oct. 1, 2014)