Turkey plans to reopen discussions with Iraqi authorities in March regarding the creation of a joint operational center aimed at coordinating efforts against terrorist organizations, Yasar Guler, the Head of the Turkish Defense Ministry told Hurriyet.
Guler recalled that in February, he and the leadership of Turkey's national intelligence visited Iraq, where they held talks in Baghdad and Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. The primary focus was on countering the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is banned in Turkey, and the construction of the Development Road, an international transportation route from the Persian Gulf to the Turkish border through Iraqi territory.
"In Iraq, they emphasize that the PKK poses a danger to them as well. This terrorist organization has displaced locals from hundreds of villages in northern Iraq. Two years ago, we proposed the establishment of a joint operations center. Iraq responded positively, but we have not yet taken any steps on this issue. This topic will be back on our agenda at a meeting in Baghdad later in March," Guler stated.
The defense ministry chief also indicated that a new military operation by the Turkish Armed Forces in northern Iraq is likely and is being discussed. Its objective is to fully secure the border with Iraq and establish a safe zone up to 40 kilometers deep. "We are considering 30–40 kilometers because this is the depth where terrorists can establish themselves, threatening our security. By pushing them back at least 30–40 kilometers, we will secure our border. This summer, we will complete activities that will protect our border and eliminate the terrorist threat," Guler said.
He further noted that the Turkish military "will do everything necessary to eliminate the terrorist threat." "Turkey is a strong state and it will not get permission from anyone to take measures for its own defense. The US continues to use terrorists (PKK and its Syrian offshoots, also recognized by Ankara as terrorist - TASS) to fight IS (Islamic State group, banned in Russia - TASS). But it is impossible to fight with other terrorists by the forces of some terrorists," he commented on the potential US or Russian reaction to Turkey's cross-border operations.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Based on materials from TASS