Media: Erdoğan seeks three-year extension of Turkish troop mandate in Iraq, Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has submitted a motion to the Parliament seeking to extend by three years the mandate allowing Turkish armed forces to operate in Iraq and Syria, CNN Türk reported.

The proposal argues that the terrorist threat along Türkiye’s southern borders persists, continuing to pose risks to national security.

It identifies the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), whose camps are based in northern Iraq, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) linked to it, and the Islamic State group as the main sources of threat.

The current mandate, approved by parliament in 2023, is due to expire on October 29. Erdoğan’s request would extend it from October 30, enabling Turkish forces to maintain cross-border operations against militant groups.

By Aghakazim Guliyev