Potential anti-ISIS action motion submitted to Turkish parliament

The Turkish government submitted a motion to the parliament to extend the scope of potential action against Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said on Tuesday.

The Turkish parliament will discuss the motion to provide the authority to the government and the armed forces to act according to IS threats at a special session on Thursday, Arinc said following Tuesday's cabinet meeting.

The motion aims to seek expanded authorization for all conditions and possibilities, including for the Turkish Armed Forces to cross border into Iraq and Syria, if necessary, the deputy prime minister added.

Earlier this month, Turkey refrained from becoming part of a group of countries that pledged support to the central government of Baghdad in its fight against the threat of IS during an international conference on Iraq's peace and security conference in Paris.

It also refused to sign a communique that supports an international campaign against IS in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah where the United States and Arab allies pledged to cooperate to fight against the IS.

Turkey said its hands are tied due to the 46 Turkish citizens and three Iraqi citizens who were kidnapped by the IS in Turkish consulate general in Mosul in June. The 49 hostages were released and brought back to Turkey on Sept. 20.
Sources: Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
1/10/14
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