Turkish Defense Min: Sinjar won’t be new PKK stronghold

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey’s defense minister said Tuesday that Iraq’s Sinjar region will not be allowed to become a new stronghold for the PKK terror group.

"We expect the Iraqi government to cooperate with us in ending the separatist PKK terror group’s presence in Iraqi territories," said Hulusi Akar during his budget speech in parliament.

Akar noted that Turkey respects the territorial integrity of Syria, Iraq and its neighbors.

"However, for the security of the country and the nation, our operations will continue until the PKK terror group has been completely defeated in the locations they exist in Iraq," said Akar.

Northern Iraq's Sinjar region “will never be allowed to become a new [Mt.] Qandil", he added.

The terrorist PKK has its main base in the Mt. Qandil region, which is located near the Turkish border.

On Thursday, the Turkish Armed Forces dealt a heavy blow to the PKK terror group in the Sinjar and Mt. Karajak regions.

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 deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children.