Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari speaks to reporters during a news conference in Baghdad, Iraq December 30, 2015. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily
Reuters: Iraqi PM says Turkey not respecting agreement to withdraw troops
Iraq's prime minister accused Turkey on Wednesday of failing to respect an agreement to withdraw its troops from the country's north and its foreign minister said if forced, Iraq could resort to military action to defend its sovereignty.
The diplomatic dispute flared after Turkey deployed a force protection unit of around 150 troops earlier this month, citing heightened security risks near Bashiqa military base where its troops were training an Iraqi militia to fight Islamic State insurgents in nearby Mousl.
Iraqi security forces have had only a limited presence in Nineveh province, where the camp is located, since collapsing in June 2014 in the face of a lightning advance by Islamic State.
WNU Editor: The Turkish government has already made it very clear that they will not withdraw .... Davutoglu: Turkish forces will remain in Iraq until Mosul is liberated (New Europe). This is also not being helpful .... Turkey funds Sunni militia in Iraq, lawmaker says (Rudaw).
More News On Iraq Warning Turkey To Withdraw Its Soldiers From Northern Iraq
Iraq FM again warns Turkey to pull out of north region, threatens unspecified military action -- AP
Iraqi FM says could use military option against Turkey if forced -- Reuters
Baghdad Demands Turkey Withdraw Troops From Northern Iraq -- RFE
Iraq says Turkey not respecting deal to withdraw troops, threatens to take military action -- Today's Zaman
Turkey probably has a pass from the U.S. to stay in Iraq. It's part of the US-Saudi-Turkey dream of a Sunni belt across the ME at the Iraq-Syria border. ISIS didn't work out too well, so they are trying a fallback position of keeping the less fanatical Sunni tribes in the game, anchored by Barzani's PKK in the north. This might include re-drawing some national borders, and would certainly include cutting off the Iran-Iraq-Syria land resupply of Hezbollah.
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