Turkish Security Council Acts Against 'Parallel State'

Turkey's top officials on Thursday announced action against "parallel state structures," illegal networks that threaten national security.



The National Security Council, Turkey's top national security group, which includes President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Cabinet ministers, said that measures would be taken to combat these networks, in a written statement. 



"The fight against parallel structures and all other illegal formations which assume a legal posture, both domestic and foreign, will be maintained with determination," the statement  said.



The Council also addressed the recent attacks of the Kurdistan Workers' Party. "The solution process maintained within the scope of multi-dimensional struggle with terrorism was also discussed."



The solution process refers to the Turkish government's efforts launched early last year to secure an end to the decades-long conflict with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which has claimed the lives of more than 40,000 people.



PKK attacks have included the killing of three Turkish soldiers and one sergeant in the southeastern provinces of Hakkari and Diyarbakir last week, and the hijacking of about 400 kilograms of explosives from a private coal mine in the southeastern Sirnak province Monday.



Turkey, the U.S. and EU list the PKK as a terrorist organization. 



In earlier remarks, Erdogan said the 'parallel state' could be listed in Turkey's National Security Policy document, commonly known as the 'Red Book,' which names security threats to the Turkish state.



If listed, this would mean that the network -- allegedly maintained by supporters of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen -- would become an official issue of national security.



The Turkish government now maintains that supporters of the Gulen movement have infiltrated the state and are attempting to overthrow the government.



The meeting also discussed the crises in Syria and Iraq due to the increasing attacks of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Turkey's role in international efforts to stop ISIL, and the country's humanitarian aid for refugees from the region.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Ankara