ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday Turkish military could launch cross-border operations into the north of Iraq if necessary.
PM Erdogan's remarks came four days after the terrorist attack on a military outpost in the southeastern province of Hakkari that killed 17 Turkish soldiers.
"I would like to make it clear once again that such an operation, in case of a necessity, would target neither civilian people nor the integrity and political unity of Iraq," Erdogan told his ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party's lawmakers at the Turkish Parliament.
The only target of such an operation would be the terrorist organization PKK, Erdogan said.
Turkish Parliament is scheduled to debate and vote Wednesday to extend military's authority to carry out operations in the north of Iraq by another year. The current mandate expires next Friday.
Turkish PM also urged regional administration in the north of Iraq to cooperate with Turkey on fight against terrorism.
"Turkey acts in self defence regarding terrorism. Everybody should understand it very well and stand by Turkey in its fight against terrorism," Erdogan said. "Countries in this region should put up a thick wall between themselves and the terrorist organization and must take a clear stance."
Erdogan said that all countries, especially Turkey's allies and friends, should exert sincere efforts to curb terrorist organization's financial, political, psychological and logistic support.
"They must take a clear stance. This is what we expect. And we have the right to expect it," Erdogan said.
"Just remarks or statements are not enough. We want them carried into action. If they are not carried into action, we will have to take our own action," he added.
Turkish PM has also warned that no one should use terrorism as a tool to make domestic politics.
"No one can make policy on blood, on our martyrs and veterans. This is a matter concerning all of us. Those who make policy on blood will eventually drown in that blood," he said.
"The fight against terrorism is a national matter. It entails all political parties and institutions to display a joint stance. Tomorrow, we should display our joint will at the parliament to fight against terrorism. I believe that all political parties have the same sensitivity to this end. Our country will maintain its progress by not making concessions from its democracy, fundamental freedoms and human rights and its development," he said.
(TÇ-UK-AÖ)
(GEN) PM