Turkey Will Not Withdraw Its Troops from Iraq and Syria

Turkey does not intend to withdraw its troops from the base areas in Northern Iraq and Syria, where it has launched a special military operation against the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). This was reported by Hurriyet, referencing information from gazeta.ru.

The article states that "the underlying reason is a program for combating terrorism," which has been successfully implemented against the PKK and the Islamic State, and will continue to be updated and executed. The strategy for the elimination of terrorists outside Turkey's borders will be strengthened and continued.

"There is no concept of abandoning our temporary base areas. The PKK wants Turkey to give up these base areas. It is believed that abandoning the base areas would be beneficial for the PKK," Hurriyet emphasizes.

The publication highlights that there will be no changes on the military front from Turkish authorities, and the base areas in Iraq and Syria will be fortified and cleared of terrorists.

On December 27, Turkey's Defense Minister Yasar Guler stated that the reason for the operation in northern Iraq was a recent attack by Kurdish armed groups on Turkish soldiers, which resulted in 12 casualties. In response, massive strikes were conducted on PKK positions in northern Iraq. Guler reported on the destruction of PKK shelters, hideouts, oil facilities, and depots. As a result of the strikes, 56 members of the Kurdish armed groups were also eliminated.