Turkish parliament to convene for extraordinary meeting over ISIL, PKK

ANKARA

DHA photo

Members of parliament are expected to gather at an extraordinary meeting of the national assembly on July 29, as Turkish fighter jets and ground forces hit militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria and outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) camps in Iraq, in a campaign Ankara said would help create a “safe zone” across swathes of northern Syria. 

A motion for an extraordinary meeting on July 29 was first filed by the Republican People’s Party (CHP) on July 23, which is to say before Ankara embarked on the two-pronged operation against ISIL and the PKK. A wave of violence which has escalated since a suspected ISIL suicide bomber killed 32 people on July 20 in a town close to the Syrian border prompted the CHP to take such action.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu lent support to the call on July 25, noting he had already discussed the matter with Parliament Speaker İsmet Yılmaz.

“Accordingly, we approach positively to this appeal for an extraordinary meeting. Our [Justice and Development Party - AKP] deputy parliamentary group chairs are also in contact. It will probably be held on Wednesday [July 29] and we will find an opportunity for a review of the latest operations with our parliament,” Davutoğlu said.

The incumbent prime minister used the occasion to voice his expectation for support to his earlier call to sign a joint declaration against terrorism along with leaders of other parties. 

His appeal was already refused by the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), while CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu signaled a positive approach.

“We would feel pleasure if a declaration comes out,” Davutoğlu said, offering gratitude to Kılıçdaroğlu by name. 

As of July 21, the Turkish parliament entered its summer recess until Oct. 1. To have an extraordinary session opened, the presence of at least 184 members of the 550-seat parliament is required. Currently, the AKP holds 258 seats and the CHP holds 131 seats.