Opposition MP warns PKK could set up new base in Syria

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA

A Turkish main opposition lawmaker said on Thursday that Turkey should beware of Syria's Sinjar region becoming “a new base” of the PKK terrorist organization.

Speaking to journalists, Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Dursun Cicek said that the terrorist PKK is having trouble finding shelter at its traditional base at Mt. Qandil, Iraq due to cooperation between Turkey, Iran, and Russia.

In light of this, “the U.S. and Israel could choose the Sinjar region as a new base for the PKK," he added, drawing on accusations that those countries support the terrorist group.

"As a country, we should watch this."

Cicek added that Turkey should definitely deal with terrorists from the Sinjar region before it turns into "a new terror base against Turkey."

Cicek's remarks came after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signaled a possible new operation against the PKK in Sinjar, following on its success against YPG/PKK terrorists in Afrin, Syria.

“We could suddenly come over one night to Sinjar, Iraq and eliminate PKK terrorists there,” he said.

Since July 2015, Turkish jets have been conducting airstrikes on PKK targets in northern Iraq, where the terror group has its main base in the Mt. Qandil region near the Iranian border.