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Turkey to Establish Military Base in Northern Iraq

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu (Reuters)
Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu (Reuters)
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Turkey to Establish Military Base in Northern Iraq

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu (Reuters)
Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu (Reuters)

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu announced plans to establish a military base in northern Iraq, similar to that in northern Syria.

Ankara will establish the base in the Metina area in the northern Iraqi region of Dohuk to block the movement of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters there, Soylu told members of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s executive board on Friday.

“The operations in northern Iraq will continue. Metina region is an important strategic place. Just like we did in Syria, we will establish bases and control the area,” Soylu stressed.

“This region is a route to Qandil mountains and we will control this route,” he added, referring to PKK hideouts in the Kurdistan Region’s mountains.

Last week, the Turkish army launched a new ground and air offensive against outlawed Kurdish militants’ bases in northern Iraq.

Commando forces landed in the Metina region from helicopters while warplanes dropped bombs on PKK targets.

Turkey considers the PKK as a terror group. The Turkish army regularly conducts cross-border operations and air raids against PKK bases in northern Iraq.

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Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups said on Saturday that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is "closer than ever", provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

"The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions," Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a rare joint statement issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.

Last week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were held in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement.

A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made "significant and important progress" in recent days.

"Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon," he said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

"Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's new conditions."