The current authorization expires October 30. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking a one year extension in order to continue military operations in Iraq and Syria.
His motion submitted to parliament states that Ankara respects the territorial integrity of Iraq, “however, the existence of PKK and ISIS in Iraq, poses a direct threat to regional peace, stability and the security of our country,” Anadolu Agency reported.
Turkey has carried out multiple military operations across its border in northern Syria.
During its Euphrates Shield operation in 2016 – 2017, Turkish forces and their Syrian proxies confronted ISIS west of the Euphrates River, north of Aleppo, taking control of the area and preventing Kurdish forces from advancing across the river.
At the start of this year, Turkish forces, again with their allied Syrian militias, pushed the Kurdish YPG/YPJ forces out of Afrin. Ankara is opposed to the Syrian Kurdish forces, considering them a branch of the PKK.
Turkish forces are carrying out coordinated patrols with the United States in the area of Manbij, east of the Euphrates River.
Ankara demanded the withdrawal of all YPG forces from the town, which is under the administration and security control of a local multi-ethnic council.
Turkish forces are also present in Idlib province, where they have established observation points to monitor a de-escalation zone established by agreement with Russia and Iran as part of the Astana process. Ankara and Moscow are now hammering out details for an agreed-upon demilitarized zone in the province.
Damascus has condemned Turkey’s military presence within Syria’s borders.
In Iraq, Turkish jets carry out frequent air raids on alleged positions of the PKK. Human Rights Watch recently reported that the air strikes could be a violation of international law.
Turkey launched a ground operation against the PKK’s headquarters in Kurdistan Region’s Qandil mountains earlier this year.
Their jets have also targeted the Shingal area, where Turkey alleges the PKK has forces. A local PKK leader was killed in an airstrike during a Yezidi genocide memorial event in August that drew widespread condemnation.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced this week that Iraqi border guards will be stationed on the border with Turkey to “prevent breaches” and document airspace violations. The border lies within Kurdistan Region territory, so any deployment of federal forces will need approval from Erbil.
Turkey’s parliament will debate the motion on October 1. It would be a surprise if parliament does not approve the request.
