Posted on 12/31/2015 7:17:50 AM PST by Michael van der Galien
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has accused Turkey of failing to live up to an agreement about the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Iraq's northern region. The country's foreign minister added that, if necessary, Iraq is willing to respond with force to the continued provocation.
Tensions between the two Muslim nations starting rising when Turkey sent 150 troops to the Bashiqa military base near Mosul.
According to the Turks, the troops are meant to protect the base where the Turkish military is training an Iraqi militia to fight against ISIS. The area around the base is a no-man's land: there are almost no Iraqi troops in the province of Nineveh. Since Turkey considers the province its own backyard, it's doing whatever it considers necessary to protect its borders, power and influence in the region.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Al-Abadi told his his Turkish counterpart that a Turkish delegation had promised to withdraw the troops from Iraq. That has not happened, however. Al-Abadi explains:
But the Turkish government has not respected the agreement and we request that the Turkish government announce immediately that it will withdraw from Iraqi territory.
Earlier, Turkey admitted there was a "miscommunication" about the deployment of Turkish troops -- saying the deployment wasn't communicated to Baghdad -- but president ErdoÄŸan added that he is not willing to withdraw all his troops.
In response to the threats from Iraq, Turkish prime minister DavutoÄŸlu shot back, saying that Iraq has no right to tell Turkey what to do since it doesn't control up to a third of its own territory.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari says that his country wants to employ diplomatic means to force the Turks to withdraw, but agrees with his prime minister that all options are on the table:
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
Captain Obvious...Please pick up the white courtesy phone! My morning chuckle!
Amazing that when Iraq speaks, Iran’s lips don’t move...
Seriously, if Obama can’t get 2 nominal US allies to ‘play nice’ then what good is he? (I know... useless)
This was my daily chuckle here. They couldn't keep ISIS from overrunning everywhere they wanted but they will use force to kick Turkey out.
As Spongebob would say - "Well... Good luck with that!"
Considering Turkey is bankrolling ISIS, I don’t blame them.
If we had a real leader they’d tell off the Sultan-wannabe that NATO isn’t going to war over their support of jihadis.
Turkey is regaining the Ottoman territories lost after WWI. Why not? At least they “kept a lid” on the crazies...
There are millions of Turks who truly hate Erdogan. There are millions of Kurdish Turks who hate Erdogan. I just don’t see this ending well for his party.
On the other hand, Turkey is right that Iraq looks stupid trying to force Turkey to leave a part of their country that Iraq gave to ISIS without much of a fight.
Bagdhad threatens force... against Turkiye? Right.
So if Iraq attacks Turkish forces, does that mean NATO is attacked as well????
What better excuse to get Nato ground troops into Iraq?!
Turkey supports Islamic State.
Excellent point
Let them fight amongst themselves. Won’t change a thing.
“This was my daily chuckle here.”
Even funnier when you realize Turkey is behind ISIS and the rebels.
“does that mean NATO is attacked as well????”
No, Turkey is in their borders, without invitation, and refusing demands to leave. And don’t forget, Turkey wouldn’t help up when we invaded Iraq. So let them come say they need a little help.
As for those who say force cant work, you might want to check who Iraq’s newest ally is. Hint, they have red stars on their planes and hate Turkey.
It might not be idle talk, Iraq has a new alliance with the Russians.
“What better excuse to get Nato ground troops into Iraq?!”
Nope, three reasons. NATO protection doesn’t count if you invade a nearby country and that country defends itself.
They are in conflict with another NATO member Greece and are flooding the EU with a million young male moslems. Try to Get Europe to go fight Iraq and Russia, because Iraq used force against Turkish invaders.
And last but not least, Remember when Turkey refused to let us come into Iraq from the north? The delays and changes to the Iraq invasion let Saddam escape and cost us numerous lives.
NO NATO help for Turkey. Not one American life.
then we get to invade again!! lol
Turks are a disgrace with a massive chip on their shoulders. They are causing a lot of crap right now and should be kicked out of NATO.
They have been for years going into Greek airspace, and now going into Iraq.
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