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Erdogan: Turkey can’t remain indifferent to events in Iraq

World Materials 17 October 2016 16:08 (UTC +04:00)
Turkey cannot remain indifferent to the events in Iraq
Erdogan: Turkey can’t remain indifferent to events in Iraq

Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 17

By Orkhan Guluzade – Trend:

Turkey cannot remain indifferent to the events in Iraq, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Oct. 17.

He made the remarks speaking at the International Istanbul Law Congress, Anadolu Agency reported.

Erdogan said that Turkey will take part in the operation to liberate the city of Mosul from the militants of the “Islamic State” (IS, aka ISIS, ISIL or Daesh) terrorist group, as well as in the subsequent settlement of Mosul’s issue at the negotiating table.

He said that no one should expect that the Turkish military will leave the Bashiqa base in Northern Iraq, from where the operation against the IS is being carried out.

Regarding the situation in Syria, Erdogan stressed that Turkey will continue to fight against terrorism in the neighboring country.

“Turkey will be there, no matter what happens,” Erdogan said. “If we are faced with the threat of terrorism, if our country comes under artillery and rocket attacks, we will enter Syria. In legal terms, it is our right to self-defense.”

The operation to regain Iraqi state government’s control over Mosul began October 17 morning. In addition to Iraqi government forces, the operation involves local militia ‘Peshmerga’ (Kurdish fighters in Northern Iraq). The attack is supported by the international Anti-Terrorism Coalition’s Air Force.

Being one of the key oil centers of Iraq, the city of Mosul went entirely under the control of the IS terrorists June 10, 2014.

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