Iraq Urges UN Resolution on Turkish Troops Withdrawal
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraq has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to pass a resolution, urging Turkey to withdraw its troops from the Arab country.
The Security Council met Friday following a request from Iraq. At the meeting, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari asked the 15-member council to adopt a resolution that would urge Turkish withdrawal, RT reported on Friday.
"Iraq has spared no effort to exhaust all diplomatic channels and bilateral negotiations with Turkey, in order to withdraw its forces that are unauthorized in Iraq," Jaafari said.
He said he wanted the resolution to consist of two main points. “First, condemn that illegal Turkish occupation and invasion,” which violated Iraq’s sovereignty as well as UN Charter and international law.
“Second, demand that Turkey immediately withdraws its troops and to ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to recognize the border between the two countries,” Jaafari added.
According to Jaafari, UNSC complaint was his last resort.
Tensions between the two countries have increased dramatically since Turkey deployed about 150 soldiers backed by artillery and around 25 tanks to a base near the ISIL-controlled northern Iraqi city of Mosul on December 4.
Turkey has consistently claimed the troops were deployed in order to train local Kurdish Peshmerga forces, adding that the move complied with previous agreements between Ankara and Baghdad.
However, Iraqi authorities regard the move a flagrant breach of the country’s sovereignty and have repeatedly called on Ankara to withdraw its forces.
