Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi slammed the United States and the European Union on Tuesday for their inaction over Turkey’s military deployment in the north of the country.
He warned that Baghdad may be forced to get help from Russia to push back the Turkish forces.
On December 4th 2015, the Turkish military deployed troops and heavy weaponry near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and have refused to withdraw despite repeated requests by Baghdad.
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Press TV reports:
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.
Niamh Harris
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