Turkish forces to remain in Iraq and Syria until border security assured

Turkey has reaffirmed that its forces will remain in Iraq and Syria until border security with both countries is ensured.

Turkish Defense Minister Bashar Guler said his country maintains its military presence in both nations, and that once the conditions for regional and border security are met, Turkey will review the deployment of its troops in the area.

Turkey and Iraq had previously agreed that Turkish forces would gradually hand over a camp in northern Iraq to the Iraqi government, and work to end the presence of banned armed groups in the region.