Turkish troop pullout from Iraq to continue

“We deem media reports regarding Turkish troops’ withdrawal as a step in the right direction within the context of reinforcement of our relations, respect to Iraq’s security and sovereignty and the fight against Daesh terror”, said a statement from the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.

Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced Saturday that Turkey will withdraw more troops from northern Iraq, following a misunderstanding with the Iraqi government, the Associated Press reported.

The two leaders agreed that Turkey, the USA and Iraq should cooperate to ease the tensions and fight against ISIL in the region, according to Ankara.

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The Iraqi government on Monday welcomed pullout of Turkish troops from Iraqi territory and expressed its hope to complete withdrawal.

Following a series of bilateral talks to alleviate Iraq’s concerns, Turkey rearranged the number of troops in Bashiqa and the additional security elements left the camp on December 14.

Baghdad labelled the deployment an illegal “incursion” but Turkey said it was to protect Turkish trainers working with Iraqi forces battling the ISIS jihadist group. Several thousand Iraqis, mostly Shiites, protested in Baghdad and Basra holding up banners reading “Death to Turkey” and “Death to Erdogan”.

US President Barack Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone Friday.

The deployment of around 150 troops to the camp this month prompted Iraq to accuse Turkey of violating its sovereignty and lodge a formal complaint at the UN Security Council. It is possible that he invited the Turks into Northern Iraq. “Because taking this issue to various global platforms would serve no other goal than to undermine the solidarity of the worldwide community against Daesh [the Arabic acronym for ISIL]”, Çevik told the council.