Turkey’s security meeting discusses Iraq, Syria

By Enes Kaplan

ANKARA

Recent developments in Iraq and Syria were discussed in a security meeting in Ankara chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday, according to sources from the presidency.

Turkey's military campaign against terrorism as well as other developments in the region were also discussed in the meeting, the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media, said.

The meeting was held amid ongoing tensions in the region following a referendum held by the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq on Monday.

The illegitimate referendum saw Iraqis in KRG-controlled areas -- and in a handful of territories disputed between Erbil and Baghdad, including ethnically mixed Kirkuk and Mosul -- vote on whether or not to declare independence.

In recent days, Ankara has launched a military exercise across the border from KRG territory and threatened restrictions at the main frontier crossing.

Along with Iraq’s central government, Turkey, the U.S., Iran, and the UN have spoken out against Monday’s illegitimate poll, warning it would distract from the ongoing fight against Daesh and further destabilize the region.