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| Iraq |
| Turkish troops to participate in Mosul battles |
| 2015-12-06 |
| DUHOK – Turkey is deploying nearly 3000 military troops near Iraq’s Mosul in a bid to take part in the battle for Mosul against the radical group of Islamic State (ISIS) and help train anti-ISIS fighters, military sources reported on Saturday. Three regiments of the Turkish army, accompanied by tanks and armored vehicles, have reportedly arrived to the countryside of Mosul, the major bastion of ISIS in northern Iraq. Speaking to ARA News in Erbil, member of the Peshmerga army of Iraqi Kurdistan Barzan Bapir said they have received information that three regiments from the Turkish forces have entered the Iraqi territory through the Ibrahim al-Khalil border crossing. “About 100 troops are now based in the vicinity of Mosul to provide training to the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters,” Bapir added, pointing out “the estimated number of these troops could reach 3000.” “These troops are based now in the camp of Zalkan near the ISIS-held city of Mosul,” another informed source told ARA News. “On Thursday, another batch of the Turkish military vehicles entered the lands of the Kurdistan Region through the Ibrahim al-Khalil border crossing,” the source added on the condition of anonymity. The crossing process of the troops was coordinated between Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkey. However, the Turkish authorities have not officially confirmed the news yet. The Turkish presence near Mosul reflects the current battle map in the region and the Kurds are playing a major role. Backed by the US.-led coalition, the Kurdish Peshmerga army and Iraqi government forces have been preparing for an extended military campaign to recapture Mosul from the ISIS extremist group. |
| Posted by:badanov |
| #3 The big question is that when the fighting starts will the Turks be shooting at ISIS or the Kurds. I don't trust Erdogan and his cadre of extremists at all. They've used the Syrian war as an excuse to bomb Kurds in Iraq and bomb units fighting ISIS in Syria. I am convinced Turkey is NOT on our side in this at all. |
| Posted by: Bill Clinton 2015-12-06 14:58 |
| #2 ..and leaving the Kurds in what position? The Iraqis in Baghdad allowing a knife to the throat to keep them 'in'? |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2015-12-06 11:08 |
| #1 This might be the unit that was reported last week to be deploying from western Turkey. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2015-12-06 10:32 |