Turkey to continue anti-terror ops. in N Iraq’s Sinjar

By Tugcenur Yilmaz

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey will continue its anti-terror operations in northern Iraq’s Sinjar region as long as terror groups exist in Iraq, the foreign ministry spokesman said on Saturday.

In a written statement, Hami Aksoy said PKK terror group has used Iraqi soil as a base to attack Turkey for many years.

“As a result of these attacks, tens of thousands of our people were killed," Aksoy said. "Activities of PKK terror group in Iraqi and Syrian soils have been a national security issue for Turkey."

“As long as terror organizations exist on Iraqi soil, these counter-terror operations will continue," he said.

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. The YPG is its Syrian branch.