Iraq Calls on NATO to Urge Turkey to Withdraw Troops From Country

BAGHDAD (Sputnik) — Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi called on NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday to urge the alliance to help resolve the issue of Turkish military presence in the country, the prime minister's press service said.

On December 4, Turkey deployed up to 150 military personnel to northern Iraq's Nineveh province, without Baghdad’s approval, allegedly to provide training to Kurdish militia who are fighting extremists.

"Iraq has demanded via diplomatic channels that Turkey withdraw its troops, and gave it 48 hours. This situation is a violation of Iraq's sovereignty, and NATO should use its power, so that Turkey would immediately withdraw its troops from Iraqi territory," the press service said in a communique.

Stoltenberg said that NATO was interested in protecting Iraq's sovereignty. The secretary general promised to convey Iraq's concerns to Turkish representatives in NATO and stressed the importance of a diplomatic solution to the situation.

On Sunday, Abadi gave Turkey 48 hours to withdraw its troops, saying that Iraq could then resort to any measures, which include raising the issue in the UN Security Council.