Cicek: "Once this operation reaches its goal, our troops will return"

Speaking after yesterday's Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said that nothing besides its mission should be attributed to the current Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) ground operation into northern Iraq. Stating that the operation targets only the terrorist PKK, he added, "Once this operation reaches its goal, our troops will come home." He added, "Northern Iraq has become a nest for terrorists. Cross-border operations take place for a reason, and Turkey did everything to avoid getting to this point."