ERBIL, Kurdistan Region- Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Monday that Turkey refuses to withdraw troops after Baghdad has reportedly given them 48 hours to leave.
The announcement came during a Turkish security council meeting regarding the presence of Turkish troops near the Islamic State stronghold Mosul in northern Iraq.
Davutoglu said in the meeting that the Turkish troops are there to train Kurdish Peshmerga forces on the frontlines.
“The existence of Turkish troops in Iraq is just like the other countries to provide training,” he said. “There is no other secret reason behind this, because we have sent the troops on the request of Iraqi defense ministry.”
On Sunday, Baghdad reportedly gave Turkish troops 48 hours to leave Iraq, following a late night meeting by Iraq’s National Security Council.
“Turkey’s forces have entered Iraq without our consent and the Iraqi government has not been informed. We consider the act as a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and disrespecting a neighbor,” said the statement, following the meeting held by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
“Baghdad has the right to use all means against Turkey including contacting the (UN) Security Council if Turkish forces do not leave the land in 48 hours,” the statement continued.
Davutoglu has reportedly reassured Iraq that Turkish troops would not be sent into the city of Mosul without Baghdad’s consent.
"There will be no deployment of forces to Bashika (Mosul city) until the sensitivities of Iraq are addressed,” Davutoglu said.
