Russian demands that Turkey withdraw its troops from Iraq, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday adding that Turkish actions are completely unacceptable.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) � In December, Turkey deployed about�150 troops and 25 tanks to�a base in�the Iraqi Nineveh province, without�Baghdad�s approval.

Turkey said its troops had entered Iraq to�protect Turkish instructors deployed at�the base earlier to�train local militias, fighting against�IS, a terrorist group outlawed in�a number of�countries worldwide, including Russia.

"We demand that Turkey withdraw its troops from�the Iraqi territory where they are located to�strengthen the sovereignty of�Iraq, according to�ex-Prime Minister [Ahmet] Davutoglu. That is a completely unacceptable position, in�principle, I believe what the Turks are doing deserves far more public attention by�our western partners," Lavrov said.

By Sputnik News