More Than 1,000 Turkish Soldiers Are Involved In Secret Ground Operations Against The Islamic State In Iraq

Turkey reportedly deployed about 150 troops and up to 25 tanks to northern Iraq without Baghdad's approval. (Reuters, file photo)

The Telegraph: Turkish troops taking on Isil in 'secret battle' in Iraq

Exclusive: More than 1,000 soldiers are engaged in covert ground war with the Islamic State near their stronghold of Mosul, against Iraq's

Turkish troops are locked in a covert fight against the Islamic State in north Iraq, the Telegraph has learned, despite Baghdad’s insistence that they leave the country.

Just nine miles northeast of the Isil stronghold of Mosul a number of tanks overlook the sprawling Nineveh plains, where they have been positioned for months.

With their barrels trained on the city, Ankara’s ground forces are engaged in shelling Isil, according to a Kurdish Peshmerga general.

“If the US was doing more the Turks wouldn’t have had to come in,” said General Bahram Yasin in reference to coalition efforts to tackle Isil.

Local witnesses have reported Turkish tanks moving around the base and shelling the insurgents. They also produced photographs showing two green camouflage tanks with distinctive turrets identified as Sabras (M60T), a model used by the Turkish military.

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Update: Turkey has up to 2,000 troops near Mosul despite Baghdad objections: Report (Middle East Monitor)

WNU Editor: The Turks are signalling to everyone in iraq that they are here to stay.