PodcastIraq accuses Turkey of violating 2007 security pact with recent offensive
The head of the Security and Defense Committee in Iraq’s parliament, Muhammad Reza Al-Haider, has accused Turkey of breaching a 2007 security accord by deploying troops 15 kilometers inside the Iraqi territory. “Iraq refuses to have an armed faction within its territories attacking a neighboring country, as it refuses attacks on its sovereignty from any other country," he said.
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Iraq calls on Turkey to halt ‘military violation’ on its soilThe head of the Security and Defense Committee in Iraq’s parliament, Muhammad Reza Al-Haider, has said that Turkish troops are currently deployed about 15 kilometers inside the Iraqi territory and this violates a security accord that the two countries struck in 2007.
“Iraq rejects transgression of its sovereignty or airstrikes within its territory by another state,” Al-Haider told the official Iraqi News Agency on July 14, calling on the Baghdad government to address this issue.
Al-Haider was referring to the Turkish military's two major operations against Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) hideouts in northern Iraq's Haftanin region, dubbed “Operation Claw-Tiger” and “Operation Claw-Eagle.” The airborne-and-land operations began in June when Turkey airlifted troops into northern Iraq.
Baghdad demands Ankara to stop bombardment on its soil, as Turkey plans more army bases in northern IraqThe Turkish military's airstrikes in northern Iraq are nothing new, but a such a coordinated air and ground operation does not have a precedent.
The PKK is listed as a terror group by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU. The group allegedly uses about 81 locations in northern Iraq as bases.
Condemning Ankara's ongoing cross-border operations, Al-Haider said that the 2007 security accord allows hot pursuits between five and seven kilometers from the border and thereby the Turkish military has exceeded the limit.
“Iraq refuses to have an armed faction within its territories attacking a neighboring country, as it refuses attacks on its sovereignty from any other country," he said.
Al-Haider's comments came after Iraqi President Barham Salih reiterated last week that neighboring Turkey must suspend its recent offensive in Iraqi territories, describing the ongoing operations as a “military violation” on Iraqi soil.