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Iraq | |
Turkmens ask AnkaraÂ’s help for self-defense | |
2013-06-30 | |
Iraqi Turkmens have shared their demands and expectations to set up own armed forces with Ankara, Ershat Hurmuzlu, President Abdullah Gul's Middle East advisor, has said, reminding that Turkmens should find ways to protect themselves if the central government is unable to do so Hurriyetdailynews reported.
Deputy Head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, Ali Hasim Muhtaroglu, was killed in a suicide bombing in the city of Tuz Khurmatu on June 25. Top Turkish officials have condemned the attacks, with President Gul sending a letter of condolence to Iraqi Turkmen Front head Arshad al-Salihi and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu having a phone conversation with the family of Muhtaroglu. A declaration released following a bimonthly meeting of the National Security Council (MGK) also particularly expressed "deep sadness" over the killing. "As we have seen, a planned study was carried out in the Turkmeneli region to wipe out the Turkmen presence and identity," Hurmuzlu said, referring to the violence and terror incidents that have been ongoing for over a month. "They are doing this to force Turkmens to leave, and to stir sectarian clashes," he added. The advisor said Iraqi Turkmens had shared their demands and expectations with Turkish authorities over the establishment of armed forces, adding that Turkish officials were closely monitoring developments on the issue. "We suggest Turkmens proceed on the issue through legal means. However, the situation is out of control, there is no security of life in Turkmeneli regions," he said, while underlining their prior demands from Turkey. "We ask Turkey to protect the citizenship rights, introduction of constitutional rights, which they couldn't use, as soon as possible. Turkmens want to sustain their lives, as Iraq's third fundamental element, in a unitary and united Iraq," he said. | |
Posted by:Steve White |