Turkey's Deputy Minister Veysi Kaynak said the Turkish military could take matters in its own hands if the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) fails to drive the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) out of Sinjar.
Speaking during a visit to the Turkish border town of Kilis, Kaynak said Ankara hopes the KRG will successfully eliminate the PKK from Sinjar.
Ankara will not let Sinjar become "another Qandil" for the PKK, he added, refering to PKK headquarter in the northern Iraq.
"Our biggest wish is that dear Barzani could get a successful result; but if he fails, Turkey will do what is necessary through the Turkish Armed Forces," the minister said.
"The UN Convention entrusts a task to eliminate any kinds of terror activities that pose a danger and threat for national security. As a matter of fact, we perform the Operation of Euphrates Shield and air operations to Qandil based on the authority given by this convention. Our president and prime-minister repeatedly declared these in the final declarations of various National Security Council’s meetings that we will never tolerate the formation of a new Qandil in Sinjar. Because the formation of a new Qandil in Sinjar means opening a new breeding ground for germs to our country. The government of the Republic of Turkey will never tolerate the formation of a center that could spread a new germ to our country. Of course Barzani does his own duty because of his sovereignty. Our biggest wish is that dear Barzani could get a successful result; yet if he fails, Turkey will do what is necessary through the Turkish Armed Forces" Kaynak said.
