Turkey May Strengthen Military Presence in Iraq Due to Increased Daesh Threat

ANKARA (Sputnik) — Relations between Turkey and Iraq deteriorated after Turkey dispatched its troops in Iraq allegedly to fight Daesh in late 2015. The Turkish government said its forces would participate in the operation on the liberation of Mosul, however, Iraqi authorities claim they have not given their consent for this participation.

According to the Hurriyet Daily News newspaper, earlier in October, Ankara proposed to Baghdad a draft agreement on the current and future status of the camp with a condition that the Turkish servicemen will remain in Bashiqa until the end of a current operation on liberation of Mosul from Daesh.

On October 17, a Turkish delegation visited Iraq and presented the document to the authorities in Baghdad, the publication said citing its sources. The next round of talks is possible in case of a positive reply from Baghdad, according to the media outlet.

The bilateral tensions have run higher after the Turkish parliament earlier in October extended a mandate allowing Turkish troops to be deployed in Iraq and Syria to combat terrorists for an additional year.

Following this step, the Iraqi parliament adopted a resolution voicing protest against Turkish military presence in the camp in northern Iraq, located about 19 miles northeast of Mosul. The lawmakers demand its government take the necessary legal and diplomatic measures, including a review of the economic relations between the two countries. Ankara has condemned the resolution.

On October 17, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the start of the operation to retake Mosul from Daesh. The offensive is backed by airstrikes by the US-led international coalition.