Stating that PKK has been using Iraqi territory for many years as a base for its attacks against Turkiye, Aksoy underlined that "Tens of thousands of our citizens lost their lives due to these attacks.

Aksoy stated that PKK's activities in Iraqi and Syrian territory have become a paramount national security concern for Turkiye.

"To date, the Iraqi government has been many times called upon to fulfill its responsibility to prevent PKK's terrorist activities on its soil. As a matter of fact, Article 7 of the Iraqi Constitution mandates the government to deny the use of Iraqi territory as a staging ground for attacks against neighboring countries by hostile groups," he added.

Within the framework of good neighborly relations and the general principles of international cooperation in combatting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, Turkiye fulfills its responsibilities to counter terrorism in Iraq," said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Accordingly, Turkiye gives all support to Iraq in its struggle against terrorist organizations said Aksoy and added that the same understanding and cooperation are expected from the Iraqi part.

"In cases which, the Iraqi authorities fail to take necessary steps in countering the terrorist threat against Turkiye, the Turkish Armed Forces retaliate to PKK's terrorist attacks against our country from Iraqi soil in the exercise of the right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter."

"Hence, as a result of the operations conducted at Mount Sincar and Mount Karacak on 13th of December 2018, the Turkish Armed Forces inflicted heavy losses to the terrorist organization PKK. During these operations, all necessary measures were taken to prevent civilian casualties. Operations will continue in line with Turkiye’s security requirements as long as terrorist organization PKK operates on Iraqi soil."

ILKHA