Erdoğan says Türkiye will not allow presence of a terrorist organization in northern Iraq or northern Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated on Saturday that his country would take measures to prevent the formation of a "terrorist group" along its southern borders. Speaking at an event in Istanbul, he emphasized that Turkey would not tolerate the presence of any terrorist organization in northern Iraq or Syria, regardless of the consequences.
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- Agencies and A News
- Published Date: 04:15 | 23 December 2023
- Modified Date: 06:53 | 23 December 2023
Türkiye will prevent a "terrorist structure" from emerging along its southern borders, the country's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed on Saturday.
"Whatever the cost, Türkiye will not allow the presence of a terrorist organization in northern Iraq or northern Syria," Erdoğan said at an event in the metropolis Istanbul.
His remarks came after six Turkish soldiers were killed and one was wounded in an attack by terrorists near the northern Iraqi border on Friday.
PKK terrorists often hide out across the border in northern Iraq to plot terror attacks in Türkiye.
Expressing his condolences for the death of the slain soldiers, Erdoğan announced that since the attack, 12 terrorists had been "neutralized" in a Turkish operation zone in northern Iraq, as well as in northern Syria.
"Within the Operation Claw zone and in northern Syria, a total of 12 terrorists have been neutralized so far," Erdoğan said.
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU — has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.
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