Turkey has promised to continue the withdrawal of troops from Iraq – RBC

The Turkish soldiers on the Turkish-Syrian border, in October 2015

Photo: REUTERS 2015

Turkey will continue the process of withdrawal of troops from Iraq’s Nineveh province, which became a source of misunderstanding between Baghdad and Ankarory. This is stated in the statement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

«Turkey, taking into account the concerns of Iraq and in accordance with the requirements of the fight against” Islamic state “(banned in Russia), will continue to derive strength from Ninewa, the military presence which has become a source misunderstandings, “- said in a statement.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that Turkey respects the principles of the territorial integrity of Iraq and its sovereignty. The Office has also recognized that the transfer of power in the training camp of Kurdish provoked misunderstandings with the Iraqi government.

On the eve of US President Barack Obama called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the de-escalation of tensions with Iraq. In particular, the President called on his Turkish counterpart to the withdrawal of troops from the north of Iraq.

December 14, Reuters with reference to Turkish military sources said that Turkish troops began to leave the camp in the vicinity Ba`shiqah – town near Mosul. The agency’s interlocutor explained that the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the camp in northern Iraq linked to agreements between Ankara and Baghdad.

The fact that Turkey has sent its military to the north of Iraq, the city of Mosul, became known in early December. It reported the transfer of 150 Turkish soldiers and tanks 20-25. In Ankara, explained that these forces need to train the Kurds, who are fighting with the militants IG.

In Baghdad demanded that Turkey withdraw the military, threatening to appeal to the UN Security Council. As a result, Iraq has turned the organization on 12 December. Erdogan called the pre-complaint Iraq in the Security Council “unfair.” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu noted that the negative reaction to enter Iraq Turkish troops have played the role of “other countries”, but he did not elaborate on which countries in question.

In support of the Russian authorities expressed Iraq. Thus, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the “solid position of principle” in Moscow in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.