Turkish National Security Council (MGK) has convened under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the Presidential Palace on Monday. The MGK meeting which handled the State of Emergency, Idlib operation and developments in Kirkuk for around one hour and 40 minutes, was followed by the meeting of Cabinet, again under the presidency of Erdoğan.

In a statement after the meetings, government spokesman Bekir Bozdağ said Turkey will close its airspace for flights to Southern Kurdistan, saying; “No flight will be allowed to KRG via Turkish airspace.”

Bozdağ said it has been agreed to extend the State of Emergency, which is in place since the failed coup attempt of 15 July 2016, for another three months, noting that this will be done in the event of approval by the parliament.

Answering a question, Bozdağ said works are underway to hand over the Ibrahim Khalil (Kbaour) Border Gate to the Iraqi government.

Regarding the invasion of Kirkuk, the government’s spokesman said; “Reports that room has been made for terrorists in Kirkuk have discomforted Turkey. Protection of Iraq’s sovereignty is essential. We attach importance to the step the Iraqi government has taken on Kirkuk. Turkey is following the developments with closest attention.”