The Turkish Prime Ministry on Friday submitted a motion in the Parliament which will extend the state’s authority, for another year, to launch cross-border military operations in northern Iraq and Syria.
The motion which was submitted by Binali Yildirim's Justice and Development (AK) Party government, had previously allowed the Turkish military to carry out cross-border operations from Oct. 2, 2016 until Oct. 31, 2017.
The motion stated that Turkey attaches great importance to the protection of Iraq's territorial integrity, national unity and stability.
It added: "However, the existence of PKK and Daesh in Iraq, poses a direct threat to regional peace, stability and the security of our country."
The parliament will hold an extraordinary session on Saturday to debate the extension of the military mandate.
During the parliamentary session, the deputies will debate whether the same motion should be extended, or a new motion should be drafted.
The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on Friday also gave a green signal to the motion.
The opposition Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) parliamentary deputy group chairman told Anadolu Agency that his party will support the motion.
The decision to hold the parliamentary session came after the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq refused to cancel the regional independence referendum slated for Sept. 25.
The non-binding referendum will see residents of Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Iraq vote on full independence from Baghdad.
The U.S. and UN have also spoken out against the poll, saying it would distract from operations against Daesh and lead to greater regional instability.
Baghdad has threatened to intervene militarily if the vote results in violence. KRG President Masoud Barzani has said a “yes” vote would not initiate a declaration of independence but would lead to negotiations with the Iraqi government.
More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.
At least 319 people have lost their lives in Daesh terror attacks in Turkey, where the terror organization has targeted civilians in suicide bomb, rocket and gun attacks.
