Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has warned Turkey that meddling in Iraqs internal affairs will only result in a prolongedconflict in the region.
Abadi made the remarks during a meeting with high-ranking commanders of the Popular Mobilization Unitson Wednesday.
The Popular Mobilization Units, allied with the Iraqi army, have been an efficient force in attempts to retakeareas from the Daesh Takfiri terrorists who have mounted an offensive in the country.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="555"]
An Iraqi fighter from the Popular Mobilization Units brandishes his weapons in the city of Baiji, north of Tikrit, in the Salahuddin province, on June 7, 2015. (AFP)[/caption]Abadi stressed that Baghdad was harboring serious concerns over Ankaras intended plans for the countrys second-largest city of Mosul, adding thatanyinterferencein the northern city would result in an extended and bloody war in the region.
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 claimand called on Ankara to immediately withdraw its forces from the camp.
Mosul fell into the hands of the Takfiris in June 2014, when they began their terror campaign inIraq.
He added that due to the leak of military information by someIraqi MPs, the announced plans to liberate the city had undergone certain changes.
On Sunday, Abadi vowed the liberation of the Daeshstronghold of Mosul in the near future. We will raise the Iraqi flag in Mosul soon," he added.
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Iraqi fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units hold a position in Anbar province, 120 kilometers northwest of Baghdad, on June 1, 2015. (AFP) [/caption]Foreign Ministry slams Saudi meddling
Meanwhile, the Iraqi Foreign MinistrycondemnedSaudi Arabia for its repeated meddling in the countrys internal affairs.
In astatement released on early on Thursday, the ministry stressed that Riyadh is trying to project its internal crises onto the Middle East by interfering in Baghdads affairs.
It calledon Riyadhto stop its nationals from joining Daesh, anddismissed calls by the Arab kingdomto disarm the Popular Mobilization forces.
The Iraqi Foreign Ministryadded that the volunteer forces are a key proponent in the battle against terrorism in the war-torn country, and that they will continue their operations to purge Iraq from the scourge of terrorism.
By Press TV
