Following Saturday's attack on a Turkish military post in northern Iraq, Turkey’s ambassador in Baghdad on Sunday warned against the terrorist group PKK's provocative efforts, which he said, should be barred.
Envoy Fatih Yildiz said that the attack in the northern city of Duhok, which resulted in partial damage to vehicles and equipment, occurred due to PKK provocations and the provocateurs should not be allowed to do further damage.
Yildiz said Turkey expects the "friendly and brotherly" Iraqi government and people to take action against the PKK threat targeting Turkey, adding that it is a necessity for the security of both Baghdad and Ankara.
"In situations where Iraq doesn't fulfill its responsibility of fighting the PKK, Turkey will continue to do its best to combat the PKK presence in Iraq," he said.
The envoy underlined that Turkey's airstrikes on PKK in northern Iraq were in line with its rights of self-defense codified under the UN Charter Article 51.
Earlier on Sunday, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry summoned Yildiz to discuss Turkish airstrikes on PKK posts in Iraqi territory, according to unnamed diplomatic sources.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- recognized as a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people.
Reporting by Haydar Karaalp in Baghdad
Writing by Ali Murat Alhas
Anadolu Agency
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