“They will meet with our advisors. We will have a better result after this meeting,” said Erdogan in a briefing prior to his visit to Bulgaria.
He hoped that Iraqi central government will act practically regarding the “operation.”
“If Iraq fails to do so, then let’s have a bilateral meeting. We will do what is required in Sinjar because we do not have much patience,” using an alternative name for Shingal.
He stated that they are used to PKK using different names, referring to different groups in Shingal like the Shingal Protection Units (YBS/YBJ).
Erdogan announced on Saturday it would begin an anti-PKK operation in Shingal. Iraq’s Joint Operations Command denied an operation was underway on Sunday. The Iraqi army deployed to Shingal later that day and said PKK had “fully withdrawn.” Only the YBS/YBJ and the Iraqi Army are now present. Shingal officials confirmed an agreement with Baghdad for the PKK to leave.
Turkey began an intense anti-PKK operation in northern parts of the Kurdistan Region on March 10, occupying 28 villages. Shingal, however, is further southwest.
Turkey has also been engaged with anti-People’s Protection Units (YPG) operation in Afrin, Syria, since February 20.
Ankara has threatened that Manbij is next, where the United States has supported the YPG in the fight against ISIS in Syria.
US in Manbij ‘not will of Trump’
US military and diplomatic officials in Manbij have used expressions like “We are not leaving” and “We are here” as a reaction to Erdogan’s threats to enter the city as did he in Afrin.
This has angered Erdogan who claims that “these expressions are not the will of Mr. Trump.”
He said that the Manbij issue is not new, explaining that during administration of former President Barack Obama, they he discussed the subject and that he promised YPG fighters would be sent east of the Euphrates. Trump administration also gave them similar promises.
Erdogan said that he had told the United States that nearly 90 percent of Manbij is Arab, so there is no place for YPG.
After meeting with Erdogan in February in Turkey, the outgoing US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the United States and Turkey are “locking arms” in Syria. “We’re not going to act alone any longer… We are going to act together from this point forward.”
