29 Mar 2024
Tuesday 8 December 2015 - 15:53
Story Code : 191821

Turkey refuses to withdraw its troops from northern Iraq despite ultimatum

In the face of fierce protests from the Iraqi government and the international community, Turkey is refusing to withdraw troops from northern Iraq.

Over the weekend, Ankara deployed approximately 600 additional troops toa camp inIraqs Ninevah province, close tothe city ofMosul.

"It is our duty toprovide security forour soldiers providing training there," Turkish foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, told Kanal 24. "Everybody is present inIraqThe goal ofall ofthem is clear. Train-and-equip advisory support is being provided. Our presence there is not a secret."

But the Iraqi government, viewing the move asa clear breach ofsovereignty, condemned the action, and gave Turkey 48 hours toremove its troops.

But Turkey has refused tocomply withthe order, insisting it informed the Iraqi government ofits actions, and that there was demand forTurkish support inthe area.

"The military personnel fortraining will stay. Not because we them [there] particularly butbecause there is a demand fromthe Iraqi side," a Turkish official told reporters, according tothe Guardian. "The discussion withthe central government still continues."

Iraq had previously indicated that if Turkey failed towithdraw its troops, a complaint would be filed withthe United Nations.

"In case we have not received any positive signs beforethe deadline we set forthe Turkish side, then we maintain our legal right tofile a complaint tothe [UN] security council tostop this serious violation toIraqi sovereignty," said Iraqi government spokesman Saad al-Hadithi, according tothe Guardian.

Turkeys actions were also condemned bythe Arab League, which described the troop buildup as "blatant intervention." Nabil Elaraby, Secretary-General ofthe Arab League, released a statement saying that his organization would also support Iraqs appeal tothe UN Security Council.

Even the United States, one ofTurkeys key allies, has stressed that it does not support troop deployments onIraqi territory withoutthe consent ofthe central government.

While Turkey is ostensibly inIraq tofight Daesh, also known asISIL, Ankara has, inactuality, been more focused oncombating Kurdish militias. Russia has presented evidence that Turkey benefits directly fromDaeshs illegal oil trade, and thus has little interest ineliminating the terrorist group.

On Friday, Iran also said it has "irrefutable evidence" ofTurkeys involvement inillegal oil smuggling.

"Iranian military advisors inSyria have taken photos and filmed all the routes used byISILs oil tankers toTurkey," Irans Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaie told reporters.

"If the Turkish authorities are unaware ofthe Daesh oil sales intheir country, then we can provide them withsuch intelligence."

Ankara has faced intense criticism sincethe downing ofa Russian bomber alongTurkeys Syrian border. An unprovoked attack, the incident left two dead.

By Sputnik
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