Turkish parliament approves extension of mandate for troop "deployment" in Iraq and Syria

The Turkish parliament on Sept. 23 approved the extension of a mandate permitting the government to deploy troops to Iraq and Syria for another year, just two days before the scheduled referendum to be held by the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).


The motion was approved by a large majority in the assembly with deputies from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) joining the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) while opposition People's Democratic Party (HDP) deputies voted it down.

Speaking on behalf of the government during the extraordinary session, Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli said the referendum would always be null and void for Turkey.

Canikli stated that all options and methods were on the table regarding the referendum and Turkey will not hesitate to use them.

He said the referendum would bring very dangerous consequences and it may also lead to clashes even in global terms.

  [hurriyetdailynews.com]

 23/9/17