Turkey: ‘Miscommunication’ over Iraq troop deployments

This step comes a day after US President Barack Obama urged President of Turkish regime Erdogan to withdraw Turkish forces from Irraq and respect its svereignty. After Iraq’s strong reaction, Turkey had to withdraw some of its soldiers from Bashiqa to another camp near the Turkey-Iraq border in northern Iraq. “First, condemn that illegal Turkish occupation and invasion”, which violated Iraq’s sovereignty as well as UN Charter and worldwide law.

Turkey has acknowledged a “miscommunication” with Iraq over its deployment of troops to the Bashiqa military base in northern Iraq, Turkey’s foreign ministry said on Saturday. “However, both Daesh and the PKK continue to pose significant risks to Turkey’s safety and security from areas beyond the Iraqi government’s reach and it is our right to exercise self-defense”, he added. Turkish authorities have continuously said the troops were there as part of the fight against terrorism.

“The delegation had, according to the Turkish Prime Minister, agreed “to re-arrange the military personnel of the Turkish security force”, the United Nations political chief said”.

Jaafari signaled the request for council action was a last resort.

On Dec. 4, Turkey reinforced the force protection component of its units in the camp due to increasing threats to their security.

Tensions with Iraq have played out against the backdrop of Turkish concerns about Kurdish rebels, who have been engaged in renewed fighting with Turkish troops since July.

“There are troops from 20 different countries in Iraq, including Australia”. It did not say how many troops would be moved or where to. This is injustice against Turkey. “Nor unlike others, do we have any plans or ambitions over Iraqi territory”. It is a clear-cut case of a major breach and the Iraqi government has given ample time to Ankara to withdraw its forces.