Erdogan warns about PKK presence in northern Iraq

By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet

ANKARA (AA) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned against the presence of PKK terrorists in northern Iraq’s Sinjar and Qandil areas Wednesday.

Speaking to the media after his meeting with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi in capital Ankara, Erdogan said Turkey remains in solidarity with Baghdad.

"There is PKK presence in areas like Sinjar and Qandil. In these areas we are ready to continue common efforts and be in solidarity [with Baghdad],” he said.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015. Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of around 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians.