Ankara extends troop deployment in Iraq and Syria for 3 years

The Turkish parliament approved a presidential motion extending the mandate of Turkish troops stationed in Iraq and Syria for an additional three years.

The motion, submitted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was approved by a large majority in the assembly, Anadolu Agency reported.

The necessity of deploying Turkish contingents in these countries is justified by the importance of fighting militants of the Islamic State and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), it said.

The current mandate allowing Türkiye's cross-border military operations in Syria and Iraq is set to expire on October 30.

Türkiye has maintained a long-standing military presence in northern Syria and Iraq under the pretext of combating terrorist groups.