The National Security Council of Turkey (MGK) convened on Wednesday in a meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Turkey would continue its struggle with the “terrorist organisations” due to national security threats, the MGK announced.
They spoke about Turkey’s ongoing offensives against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the Democratic Union Party (PYD), and the People’s Defence Units (YPG) and that “additional measures” were also discussed, according to the MGK.
However, there was no mention Turkey’s Zakho (Zaxo) shelling of a tourist spot that killed nine tourists and drew international condemnation.
Turkey’s Security Council also called on NATO members to support Turkey’s fight with the PKK, KCK, PYD, and YPG, saying “Turkey fulfils its alliance obligations, we expect the same approach from other members.”
On Tuesday, Erdoğan also said that “a new operation will continue to be on our agenda as long as our national security concerns are not resolved.”
Iraq announced that the Turkish state had killed civilians in Zakho on Tuesday and demanded an immediate withdrawal of Turkish soldiers from the country.
Turkey however, rejected responsibility for the attack with the Turkish Foreign Ministry saying that the attack was an ‘act of terror’.
On Thursday, Iraq declared a one day mourning for the victims of the Zakho killings.