Paul Antonopoulos
AMNSat, 07 Jan 2017 00:00 UTC
© Center for Turkey Studies
Following the announcement of a meeting between
Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the two counterparts have
agreed for the total withdrawal of all Turkish soldiers illegally stationed in the Bashiqa region near Mosul. Iraqi television quoted al-Abadi confirming an agreement reached with Turkey on the withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern Iraq.
Turkish Prime Minister Ben Ali Yildirim is expected to also meet President Fuad Masum and Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jubouri following his meeting with Abadi, as well as community leaders of Iraq's Turkmen minority.
The deployment of Turkish troops near Mosul
caused a political showdown between the two states, with the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units vowing to rid Iraq of Turkish troops after defeating ISIS. Iraq also considered its options of attacking the illegally stationed Turkish troops.
Comment: In December, 2015, without Baghdad's approval, Turkey deployed troops and tanks to a base in the Nineveh province of Iraq under the guise of training Kurdish militia fighting against Daesh. Iraq rejected the ruse stating Turkey's military presence was not requested nor authorized. Iraq then filed a complaint with the UN Security Council and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the troops. Russia also advocated for deployment withdrawal.
See also:
Comment: In December, 2015, without Baghdad's approval, Turkey deployed troops and tanks to a base in the Nineveh province of Iraq under the guise of training Kurdish militia fighting against Daesh. Iraq rejected the ruse stating Turkey's military presence was not requested nor authorized. Iraq then filed a complaint with the UN Security Council and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the troops. Russia also advocated for deployment withdrawal.
See also: