Ankara Deployed Troops to Iraq to Protect Turkish Soldiers - Erdogan

© AFP 2023 / ILYAS AKENGIN Turkish Army vehicles and tanks move near the Syrian border in Suruc on February 23, 2015
Turkish Army vehicles and tanks move near the Syrian border in Suruc on February 23, 2015 - Sputnik International
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The current presence of the Turkish troops in Iraq is necessary due to the lack of security guarantees for Turkish soldiers deployed earlier in the country to train Kurdish militia fighting the Islamic State, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday.

ANKARA, December 11 (Sputnik) — On December 4, Turkey deployed about 150 troops and 25 tanks to a base in the Iraqi Nineveh province, without Baghdad’s approval.

"Now, many countries are conducting operations in Iraq, but we significantly differ from them, because terrorism in this country [Iraq] is a constant source of threat for Turkey. Currently, the country [Iraq], which is under occupation by the Islamic State terrorists, couldn't do anything about it. If Iraqi government can't take any measures against terrorist attacks, we will take them," Erdogan said.

After Ankara deployed troops, Iraq stressed that the Turkish military presence had not been requested, and the government planned to lodge a formal complaint with the UN Security Council within two days over Turkey's unsanctioned military presence in the country unless Turkish troops leave Iraqi ground.

© AP Photo / Murat Cetinmuhurdar, Presidential Press ServiceTurkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a labor union meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a labor union meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015. - Sputnik International
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a labor union meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015.

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