Turkey Deploys Tanks Near Iraq Border as Defense Against Terror Threats

Ankara transferred a large number of armored vehicles and tanks near the border with Iraq as a response to the terrorist threat, according to Defense Minister Fikri Isik.

ANKARA (Sputnik) — The transfer of Turkish military equipment to the area close to Iraq is part of preparations to respond to the terrorist threat, Defense Minister Fikri Isik said on Tuesday.

"We are right now in a serious fight against terrorist groups, both inside Turkey and just outside our border. This dispatch is part of preparation against those threats," Isik said, as quoted by Anadolu agency.

Earlier, Turkish media reported a large number of armored vehicles and tanks were moving in the direction of the border with Iraq. According to reports, the army has dispatched tanks to the southeastern Sirnak province's Silopi district.

On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan outlined plans to increase Turkish military personnel on the border with Iraq. He warned of response if Shiite militia took part in the fighting in Tal Afar, which is mostly populated by the Iraqi Turkmens.