Turkiye dismisses Iraq’s objections to offensive against PKK
ANKARA (AA) – Turkiye has dismissed Iraq’s “baseless” objections to Operation Claw-Lock, Ankara’s latest cross-border operation against the PKK.
Baghdad’s charge d’affaires was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry and told in clear terms that Turkiye is well within its rights to act against the PKK that “has been targeting our country from its bases in northern Iraq for nearly 40 years,” ministry spokesperson Tanju Bilgic said in a statement.
Turkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock this week to target PKK hideouts in the Metina, Zap and Avasin-Basyan areas.
Iraq, however, raised concerns over the offensive and called on Ankara to withdraw its forces.
Bilgic stressed that Iraqi authorities have failed to act decisively against the PKK despite Turkiye’s repeated requests.
“Turkiye is always ready to cooperate closely with Iraq in the fight against the PKK terrorist organization on the basis of common interests,” he added.
As long as Iraqi authorities do not take “solid and effective steps” against this threat, Turkiye will continue to take all necessary measures for self-defense, a right enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter, Bilgic asserted.
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