Iraqi border guards to be stationed on Turkish border to ‘prevent breaches’: Abadi
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraqi federal border guards are to be stationed along the Iraq-Turkey border to “prevent breaches” and document airspace violations, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has announced. The Foreign Ministry will report such violations to the UN.
Turkey and Iran have repeatedly launched airstrikes, missile attacks, and troop incursions inside Iraqi and Kurdistan Region territory. Kurdish opposition groups have also established bases inside Kurdistan Region territory.
Last updated 10.50 p.m.
Abadi's office made the announcement following a meeting of the Council of Ministers on Sunday.
“The commander in chief of the armed forces, Haider al-Abadi, held a meeting this evening with the Ministerial Council for National Security, and topics on the agenda were discussed, first among them sustaining stability and security and bringing Iraqi borders under control,” reads a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Turkey and Iran have repeatedly launched airstrikes, missile attacks, and troop incursions inside Iraqi and Kurdistan Region territory. Kurdish opposition groups have also established bases inside Kurdistan Region territory.
The Kurdistan Region stretches across the entire length of Iraq and Turkey's shared border, meaning any plan to station federal guards there would require negotiations with Erbil.
Last updated 10.50 p.m.