By Emin Avundukluoglu
ANKARA (AA) – Turkish parliament will hold an extraordinary session on Saturday to debate extension of military operation in northern Iraq and Syria, deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s parliamentary group said.
“The general assembly of Turkish Parliament will hold an extraordinary session on Sep. 23 at 1600 [4 pm local time] to debate the extension of prime ministry’s motion that enables the government to conduct cross-border operations in northern Iraq and Syria,” said Mustafa Elitas.
The motion had previously allowed Turkish military to carry out cross-border operations from Oct. 2, 2016 to Oct. 31, 2017.
The deputies would either debate the extension of the same motion or they would bring a new motion enabling Turkish army to conduct a cross-border operation in northern Iraq and Syria.
The decision to hold Turkish parliament’s extraordinary session came after Kurdish Regional Government’s (KRG) refused to cancel the planned independence referendum on Sep. 25.
The non-binding referendum will see residents of Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Iraq vote on full independence from Baghdad.
The U.S. and UN have also spoken out against the poll, saying it would distract from operations against Daesh and lead to greater regional instability.
Baghdad has threatened to intervene militarily if the vote results in violence. KRG President Masoud Barzani has said a “yes” vote would not initiate a declaration of independence but would led to negotiations with the Iraqi government.
