Turkish Delegation Arrives in Baghdad to Discuss Troops Deployed in Iraq

© AFP 2023 / MEHDI FEDOUACHA large convoy of Turkish military including tanks and ambulances rolls from the southeastern part of Turkey toward the Iraqi border (File)
A large convoy of Turkish military including tanks and ambulances rolls  from the southeastern part of Turkey toward the Iraqi border (File) - Sputnik International
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A Turkish delegation has arrived in Baghdad to discuss the deployment of Turkish troops in Iraq, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

BAGHDAD (Sputnik) — The delegation includes Under Secretary of Turkey's Foreign Ministry Feridun Sinirlioğlu and Hakan Fidan, head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization. 

On December 4, Ankara deployed about 150 troops and 25 tanks to a base in the Iraqi Nineveh province, without Baghdad’s approval.

The delegation includes Under Secretary of Turkey's Foreign Ministry Feridun Sinirlioglu and Hakan Fidan, head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization.

According to Ankara, the aim of the deployment was to provide security to Turkish soldiers deployed earlier at the base to train local militias, fighting against the Islamic State (IS, or Daesh in Arabic) militant group, which is outlawed in  Russia and many other countries.

Baghdad views the deployment as illegal. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi demanded the withdrawal of the Turkish troops, and on Sunday gave Ankara 48 hours to complete this demand.

The term of the ultimatum has expired, but Permanent Representative of Iraq to the UN Mohamed Ali Hakim said that Baghdad did not intend to appeal to the UN Security Council, instead the sides decided to resolve the situation privately.

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