A top Turkish official says the countrys military forces will continue their presence in northern Iraq regardless of Baghdad'srepeated protests and escalatingtensions between the two neighbors.
Turkey's presence in Bashiqa (military camp) is legitimate. We will continue our presence there as long as it is needed, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said on Wednesday.
He alleged that Turkey's deployment oftroops in the camp, located roughly 12 kilometers northeast of Mosul, is meant to support the residents of the Daesh-held city.
Kurtulmus also saidIraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is probably under different influences for demanding that Turkish troops leave the country.
Turkish troops were ready to take part in an Iraqi operation to retake Mosul from Daesh terrorists, Kurtulmus said as he warned against the participation of Syrian Kurdish fighters in the operation.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he delivers a speech in Ankara, Turkey, on October 12, 2016. (Photo by AFP)[/caption]Earlier on Wednesday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan rejected Baghdads objections to the presence of Turkish forces in northern Iraq.
Ankara, he said,seeks to prevent the Mosul battle from turning into a sectarian one and causing blood and fire in the Middle East.
The comments came only hours after Abadi took to his Twitter account to brush aside Erdogans earlier remarks that Turkish forces must play a role in the Mosul operation.
Secretary General of Iraqs Badr OrganizationHadial-Ameri censured Erdogans comments, saying pro-government Popular Mobilization Units will not allow any violation of Iraqs sovereignty.
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Secretary General of Iraqi Badr Organization Hadi al-Ameri (Photo by The Telegraph)[/caption]His strong-worded remarks came afterErdogan snubbed Abadis criticism of Turkish troops on the Iraqi soil.
You are not at my level. Its not important at all how you shout from Iraq. You should know that we will do what we want to do. Know your place first, the Turkish president told in remarks addressed to Abadi.
The Iraqi government criticized Erdogans irresponsible remarks, with the Iraqi premiers spokesmanSaad al-Hadithisaying thatthe Turkish leader was pouring oil on the fire.
Mosul, which is Iraq's second-largest city andthe main strongholdof Daesh terrorists, fell in 2014.The Iraqi army and pro-government forces have been preparing for months for the final assault to recapture the city.
By Press TV
