Iraq censures US, EU for inaction over Turkey’s troops deployment
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi censured the United States and the European Union Tuesday for inaction on Turkey’s military deployment north of Iraq, warning that Baghdad may be forced to get help from Russia for pushing back the Turkish forces.
In a phone conversation, Abadi has warned US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden that Turkey may be aiming to occupy the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and areas surrounding it in the same manner that it invaded Cyprus in 1974, urging the US and European allies to make Turkey leave the Iraqi territory as soon as possible, the Lebanese al-Mayadeen news channel reported.
In early December 2015, Turkey deployed a contingent of its troops to the Bashiqa military camp north of Mosul, claiming that the move had been earlier coordinated with Iraqi officials. Baghdad swiftly denied the claim and called on Ankara to immediately withdraw its forces from the camp.
Abadi warned the White House and leaders of major European powers that Iraq may be compelled to ask for Russia’s intervention in northern Iraq if Turkey does not pull back its troops from Bashiqa.
The Iraqi prime minister also warned Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that if Ankara does not specify a clear timetable for the withdrawal of the troops, Iraq could resort to other options.
Baghdad had previously filed an official complaint with the United Nations Security Council, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Turkish contingent.
Abadi also slammed an emerging plan by some Persian Gulf Arab states for deploying troops into Syria, saying such action would directly affect the security of Iraq and could fan the flames of militancy in the Middle East.
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