Turkish Deputy PM Bozdağ
Turkey's deputy prime minister and government spokesman on Wednesday said that Turkey had carried out counterterrorism operations in Iraq’s Qandil and would continue to conduct such cross-border operations as necessary to protect its national security and eliminate terror threats.
“Operations in northern Iraq did not start today, we have had troops there for a long time and operations are ongoing. Qandil is a terror nest. The Turkish army has conducted extensive operations targeting Qandil before. Operations will continue when necessary,” Bekir Bozdağ said.
“Turkey is continuing its struggle against the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] in a resolute manner. We must continue this struggle 365 days a year. Our offense policy has delivered a great blow to terror. As of today, the terrorist organization has lost its ability to conduct planned terror activities. We have carried out a successful fight against terror everywhere,” he added.
The United States, which delivered a 24,000-square-kilometer area to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) by dividing Syria, has once again resorted to using the Daesh terror group. Despite the Pentagon’s statement saying that Daesh had been defeated in 2017, the terrorists in Hasakah and Deir Ezzor have entered the field once more.Daesh captured al-Didye village on the Hasakah-Shaddadi line as well as the Baguz village in the Deir Ezzor countryside. Retired Brigadier İhsan Başbozkurt evaluated field developments in an exclusive interview with Yeni Şafak.Daesh terrorists are employed by the U.S.“To bring Daesh back on the scene is a sly and dirty move by the U.S. in response to Turkey’s resolute stance on Qandil and Manbij. The mission assigned to Daesh between 2013 and 2017 was to form the pretext for occupation; now it is to legitimize the terror map which is shaping in the occupied areas,” Başbozkurt said.US presence in Manbij 'subject to political discussion'Officials have hinted at a possible Turkish operation in Iraq’s Qandil, which is considered as the main base of the PKK terror group.“Daesh terrorists who are gathered from almost every region of Syria are employed by U.S. military and intelligence agencies. How could Daesh suddenly emerge and take control of areas controlled by U.S. troops and the PKK? What we have seen very clearly in the Syrian process is that terrorist organizations are the only element that the U.S. has embraced in order to actualize the occupation map designed for the region,” the retired brigadier added.Daesh attacks used as sabotage“Turkey has overcome the majority of the terror line in northern Iraq. The logistical connection between their [PKK] headquarters in Qandil and Turkey has been severed. The period that started with Afrin has advanced to Manbij and both the Syrian people and Turkey are working to eliminate the PKK. These factors have pushed the U.S. to take action,” Başbozkurt said.Weapons that were supplied to terrorists from the PKK/YPG will be taken back as they withdraw from the city within the scope of the Manbij roadmap agreement between the U.S. and Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Tuesday.Manbij roadmap must include regions east of Euphrates in Syria“The pawns they [U.S.] train at various bases are released on the field when they see it as appropriate. Daesh attacks were designed to sabotage the Ayn Issa, Manbij, Raqqa, Tell Abayd and Qandil period and give the PKK a break. The U.S.-Israel-Europe-Gulf alliance, which has made extraordinary efforts to keep Raqqa controlled by the PKK, is trying everything for this purpose. This is why the Arab Force project is being formed. We must give extraordinary importance to Raqqa and pay attention to it,” he added.Same game to be actualized in IraqBrigadier Başbozkurt said the U.S. was openly protecting Daesh in Iraq and Syria, adding that the group was active across various points in these countries. There is a risk that Daesh may also take the stage in Iraq, he added.“Nobody should doubt that if Iraq does not elect a government that serves the Israel-U.S. plan, many Iraqi cities – including Mosul and Kirkuk – will again be plagued by Daesh,” Başbozkurt said.In 2016, U.S. President Donald Trump had stated that former U.S. leader Barack Obama founded Daesh. “He's the founder of ISIS [Daesh]. I would say the co-founder would be crooked Hillary Clinton,” said Trump.Joint roadmap for Manbij is for stabilization: USClash erupts between PKK, Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq
US deploys Daesh terorrists in Syria
Airstrikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq, where the terror group has its main base in the Mt. Qandil region, near the Iranian border, have been carried out regularly since July 2015, when the PKK resumed its armed campaign.
“There is a period that leads to a terror state through a corridor on Turkey’s borders. We ended this period with Operation Euphrates Shield. We cleared the region of Daesh and PKK terrorists. Following this, we eliminated YPG [People’s Protection Units], PKK and Daesh terrorists with Operation Olive Branch. If the steps Turkey expects are not taken in the region, then we will do it ourselves,” Bozdağ said.
“The east of the Euphrates will be cleared of PKK terrorists. Of course we prioritize that a political solution is reached [in Syria] but if these [terror elements] are not cleared, Turkey has the right to protect its national security. Turkey has the right to eliminate terror threats,” he added.
In its 30-year-plus terrorist campaign against Turkey, the PKK has been responsible for some 40,000 deaths.
Turkish airstrikes killed six PKK terrorists and destroyed 16 targets in northern Iraq, the General Staff said Wednesday.According to a General Staff statement, the airstrikes include regions of northern Iraq such as Hakurk, Gara, Metina, Zap, Qandil, and Avasin Basyan.In recent days Turkish officials have suggested that the Mt. Qandil region -- where the terrorist group has its headquarters -- may be the target of a future operation.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people.Clash erupts between PKK, Hashd al-Shaabi in IraqErdoğan vows to eradicate terrorism 'completely'
Turkish airstrikes in N.Iraq kill six PKK terrorists
The timetable reached with the U.S. for ridding terrorists and establishing stability in Manbij, Syria is very clear," Bozdağ saıd.
"There is a very clear timetable. Ninety days of it were planned clearly, what and when will be done, all were designated," Bozdağ said.
The roadmap on Manbij was announced after a meeting in Washington on Monday between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city and stability in the region.
Bozdağ said not only Manbij but also the area east of the Euphrates River will also be cleared of YPG/PKK.
"Of course, we prioritize [reaching] a solution east of the Euphrates with a political agreement like in Manbij," he added.