Iraq to Turn to UNSC if Turkey Fails to Withdraw Troops


TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Baghdad warned that it might turn to the UN Security Council if Ankara failed to withdraw its troops from Iraq within 48 hours.

According to a report by Sputnik News, Baghdad may use all the available options, including an address to the UN Security Council, if Turkey fails to withdraw its troops from northern Iraq within 48 hours, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi said Sunday.

“Iraq has the right to use all available options, including resorting to the UN Security Council in the absence of the withdrawal of these forces within 48 hours," Abadi said in a statement following the National Security Council meeting.

Numerous reports suggest that on Friday Turkey sent approximately 130-150 soldiers to northern Iraq. Turkish forces, deployed near the city of Mosul, are allegedly tasked with training Peshmerga, which has been involved in the fight against Daesh, also known as ISIL.

On Saturday, Baghdad described the move as "a serious violation of Iraqi sovereignty," since it had not been authorized by Iraqi authorities.