Daesh in Iraq's Sinjar 'unacceptable': Turkish PM

By Enes Kaplan and Sinan Uslu

ERBIL, Iraq (AA) – The presence of Daesh terror group in Iraq’s Sinjar is unacceptable to Turkey, Turkish premier said Sunday.

Prime Minister Binali Yildrim made the remarks following his meeting with Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani in Erbil during his second day of an official visit to Iraq.

Both leaders discussed a number of issues during their meeting, including cooperation in health, energy, investment and economic sectors as well as the fight against terrorism.

In remarks made at a joint press conference -- bits of which were also tweeted from the Prime Ministry’s official Twitter account -- Yildirim said: “We keep on fighting against the PKK/PYD, both in Turkey and in our region.

“PKK’s attacks on Turkey from Iraqi lands are unacceptable.”

He said the aim of Turkey was to eradicate the Daesh terrorist group.

“Our goal is to eradicate Daesh, [which is an] enemy of humanity and our region. We expect more support from the international community on this issue.”

The premier also said the presence of Daesh in Iraq's mountainous Sinjar region was unacceptable.

“Daesh's expanding towards West and nesting in Shengal [Sinjar] is unacceptable for us. It is a security issue," he tweeted.

He also said Daesh, PKK/PYD and Fetullah Terrorist Organizations terror groups “concern not only Turkey but also Iraq and Syria.”

The Turkish prime minister also mentioned the assistance provided to the Kurdish Regional Government. "We hope to enhance the medical support provided to KRG [Kurdish Regional Government] by Turkey and our joint efforts in the health field,” he tweeted.

He said a commission to discuss economic issues and business would also be set up in January in Erbil.

In an interview with Turkmeneli TV, the premier said: “Turkey’s security begins from Iraq. Unless Iraq is secured Turkey is not safe too. For that reason we should stand together in the fight against terrorism. Otherwise the expected success would not be realized.”

Meanwhile, Barzani said: “Combatting terrorism is a duty for all of us. We need support… We are willing to improve our ties with Turkey in all areas.”

Yildirim also visited a Peshmerga outpost in Zardak Mountain in northern Iraq where the fight against Daesh terrorists continues.

On Saturday, Yildirim and his Iraqi counterpart Haider al-Abadi co-chaired the third Turkey-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting in Baghdad, which declared that both countries would work for their mutual interests as well as for peace and stability in the region.