The ruling AKP Group Chair Mustafa Elitaş has said debate on a mandate for military action ‘may well take place behind closed doors’.

Elitaş recalled during a chat with parliamentary reporters that the mandate for military action ran out in  October, adding: “there may be one proposal or two separate ones.”

In response to a question regarding 1 March [a decision taken by parliament prior to the Gulf War of 2003 that refused permission for foreign troops to use Turkish territory to enter Iraq], Elitaş contrasted the current situation, saying: "Today there is an open threat to our country. Shells are landing, Turkey needs to take measures…”

On being asked how the debate on military intervention would be held, Elitaş said: "the debate will probably be behind closed doors.” Elitaş added that 40-50 MPs would not be present for the debate on 2 October due to the Hajj and other reasons.