Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct.25
By Orkhan Quluzade – Trend:
In case of necessity, the Turkish Armed Forces may start ground operations in Iraq, Hurriyet newspaper reported citing Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu Oct. 25.
In case events in Iraq threaten Turkey’s security, Ankara is ready to take all necessary measures in the framework of international law, said the minister.
“In the framework of the Euphrates Shield operation in Syria, Turkey cooperates with all parties which are against the “Islamic State” terrorist group (ISIS). A strong cooperation system was created after normalization of relations between Turkey and Russia. We exchange intelligence information in all fields, and commanders of the General Staffs of the two countries communicate on a regular basis,” added Cavusoglu.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously announces preparations of the Turkish Armed Forces to ground operations to liberate the ISIS-held Mosul city in Iraq.
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.
Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq with a population of 1.3 million people, has been under the IS control for more than two years. Mosul was surrendered almost without a fight during the extremists’ attack in June 2014. The “Islamic State” considers Mosul as its main stronghold in Iraq.
Syria has been suffering from an armed conflict since March 2011, which, according to the UN, has so far claimed over 500,000 lives.
Militants from various armed groups are confronting the Syrian government troops. The IS, YPG and PYD are the most active terrorist groups in Syria.
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