The Turkish parliament has backed extending for another year a mandate for ongoing military operations in neighboring Syria and Iraq.
Forces from Turkey have focused largely on fighting alongside Syrian rebels against militants from the radical fundamentalist Sunni group Islamic State (IS) since invading Syria in a major operation that began in late August.
But they have also targeted Kurdish militia, some of whom are allied with the United States in the multifaceted Syrian conflict that's nearing its six-year mark, as well as attacked members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq.
Iraqi officials have also expressed concern as Turkish troops appear to be girding for an offensive aimed at taking the IS-held city of Mosul, in northern Iraq.
The Turkish military mandate allowing for troops to operate against terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq to its south dates back to October 2014.
Its extension was backed by ruling and opposition parties.
Turkey MPs Back Extension Of Troop Mandate In Syria, Iraq
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
UEFA To Rule After Kosovar Players Walk Off In Romania Amid Claims Of 'Racist' Chants
2How Does Marco Rubio, Trump's Pick For Secretary Of State, See The World?
3Ukraine Live Briefing: 'Russia Attacks Sleeping Civilians'
4Russian Forces Reportedly Start All-Out Assault On Key Ukrainian City Of Kupyansk
5Putin Not Interested In Negotiations, Only In Ending His Own Isolation, Zelenskiy Says
6How The Caspian Sea Became A Battlefield
7Peace Talks Brewing, Russia And Ukraine Jockey For Advantage -- On And Off The Battlefield
8Anti-War Russian Chef Found Dead In Belgrade
9A Blood-Red Stripe: Russian Opposition's Anti-War Rally Shadowed In Advance By Controversy Over Flag
10In Bulgaria, A Secret Russian Consulate Is Unveiled
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
