Turkey's top security body, the National Security Council (MGK), said Wednesday it will take "any steps necessary immediately" to "defeat threats" upon the United States' announcement that it is building an army of PKK-backed YPG terrorists on the Syrian border.
The Council convened Wednesday under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss a possible operation on the northwestern Syrian town of Afrin - which is held by the PKK's Syrian affiliate the Democratic People Union (PYD) and its armed wing, the People's Protection Units (YPG) - and the extension of the state of emergency for another three months.
Along with its intent to act immediately against threats on the border, the MGK demanded that all weapons given to YPG terrorists in Syria be collected without delay. The U.S. has reportedly provided the terrorist group with a large supplies of weapons, as well as military training.
Following the meeting, the Parliament General Assembly planned to discuss the government motion for the extension of the state of emergency on the same day. The proposal has to be approved by Parliament with a simple majority, where the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) holds 316 of 550 seats.
The MGK recommended Wednesday to the cabinet of ministers that the state of emergency be extended.
In the previous vote for an extension on Oct. 17, 2017, the AK Party and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) voted in favor of the motion, while main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) voted against it.
Turkey declared a state of emergency on July 20, 2016, following a deadly coup attempt by the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) that killed 250 people and left 2,200 injured.
Security forces have since arrested thousands of people suspected of involvement in the coup bid, many of whom were in positions in the government and the military. (Daily Sabah)
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