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Iraq tells Turkey to withdraw troops
[AlArabiya] Iraqi President Fouad Massoum on Saturday called the deployment of several hundred Turkish troops inside Iraq near the northern city of Mosul “a violation of international norms and law.”Iraq’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Turkish ambassador to Baghdad on Saturday to protest at the deployment of Turkish forces near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and demand their immediate withdrawal. The ministry said in a statement that the Turkish forces had entered Iraqi territory without the knowledge of the central government in Baghdad, and that Iraq considered such presence “a hostile act.” But Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the troop rotation was routine and the camp had originally been set up in coordination with Iraqi authorities. A Turkish security source said on Friday the forces would provide training for Iraqi troops near Mosul, which is controlled by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Iraq’s prime minister and foreign ministry have called for Turkey to withdraw its forces. In an online statement, Massoum also called on Turkey to withdraw the troops and asked Iraq’s Foreign Ministry to take the necessary measures “to preserve the country's sovereignty and independence.” More at the link Turkey reacts by saying, "We won't send in any more!" Iraq threatens to go to the US Security Council, making Turkey shake in their curly toed slippers. Posted by: badanov 2015-12-07 |
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