Iraq PM warns Turkey of Regional Conflict if Turkish Troops Stay in Iraq Territory

Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi gave a stern warning to Turkey that they risk triggering a regional conflict by allowing Turkish troops to remain in northern Iraq. At the same time, neighboring states had summoned each other’s ambassadors as tensions between both countries mount.

Turkey’s parliament with a vote last week has decided to extend continue the fight against terrorist organization in Iraq. Probable targets for Turkish military operations include the Kurdish militants and the Islamic State.

Iraq’s parliament on the other hand, responded by condemning the vote by the Turkish parliamentary vote. Iraq called for an immediate recall of the 2,000 Turkish troops in its territory.

Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Abadi warned their neighbor on state TV on Wednesday. “We have asked the Turkish side more than once not to intervene in Iraqi matters. I fear the Turkish adventure could turn into a regional war,” Al-Abadi said further. “The Turkish leadership’s behavior is not acceptable and we don’t want to get into a military confrontation with Turkey.”

The vote had flared up the already high tension between the two nation. Tensions began with the Syrian war and the spread of Islamic State.

Diplomatic Protests

Turkey announced on Tuesday that they had summoned the Iraqi ambassador to protest about the parliamentary vote. Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed disappointment with the vote and said. “We believe this decision does not reflect the views of the majority of Iraqi people, whom Turkey has stood by for years and attempted to support with all its resources,” and further added. “We find it noteworthy that the Iraqi parliament, which has not said anything about the accepted mandate for years, puts this on the agenda as though it were a new development in times when terror is taking so many lives in Turkey and Iraq.”

Iraq on the other hand, summoned the Turkish ambassador to Baghdad. to complain on what it said were “provocative” statements made in Ankara with regard to allowing the Turkish troops to stay in northern Iraq.

Turkey said that the deployment of their troops last year was part of an international operation. Their mission was to train and equip the Iraqi forces to deal with Islamic State.

Iraq on the other hand said that there was no invitation for the Turkish troops and as such, considers them as occupiers on Iraq’s sovereign soil.

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