Turkish PM: We will not violate Iraq’s sovereignty

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu wrote a letter to his Iraqi counterpart Haider Al-Abadi saying his country will not make any move that violates Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The letter came after Ankara announced that it will halt sending new troops to an area near Mosul, northern Iraq, after Baghdad threatened to appeal to the UN Security Council to force Turkey to withdraw its soldiers.

According to sources in the prime minister’s office, Davutoglu confirmed that Ankara will not transfer any new troops to the Ba’shiqah area, near Mosul in northern Iraq, until the Iraqi government’s concerns are put to rest.

“Turkey is ready to deepen its cooperation with Iraq in coordination and consultation. Those who are disturbed by the cooperation of Turkey and Iraq and who want to end it should not be allowed to attain their goal,” the letter said.

Turkey deployed 150 soldiers to a camp in the Ba’shiqah region on Thursday, calling it a routine rotation to train Iraqis to retake Mosul from Daesh.

However, the Turkish move angered Baghdad which demanded their withdrawal.

The Iraqi prime minister said: “Iraq has the right to use all available options, including resorting to the UN Security Council, if these forces are not withdrawn within 48 hours.”