“We believe Turkey has acted recklessly and inexplicably, carrying out additional deployments on the territory of Iraq without the consent of Iraqi government”, Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters.
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Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the discussion on Turkish military action in Syria and Iraq was helpful, though he suggested he was disappointed that the 15-member Security Council did not issue a statement reaffirming the principles of territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
In addition, the foreign ministry advised the Turkish citizens living in the Iraqi Kurdish region to stay away from areas where operations are taking place against the terrorist organization, Daesh, and to obey warnings and guidance from the Iraqi Kurdish administration. As Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has struggled to please both sides, he is increasingly seen as weak and indecisive, further undermining efforts to defeat the extremists. Tensions between Iraq and Turkey are soaring since last week’s cross-border deployment by Turkish troops into Nineveh. Barzani is slated to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmed Davutoglu during his trip.
“He expressed that Turkey will continue to contribute to the government of our friend Iraq’s fight against (Islamic State), in coordination with Baghdad”, one source added.
They discussed relations between Turkey and the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government, as well as regional issues.
Over the past several years, Turkey has been helping to grow Iraqi Kurdish desires for independence by purchasing oil from the autonomous region, exporting it to Mediterranean seaports on the Turkish coast and filling the KRG coffers. “It itself was the first to violate global norms by invading Iraq without United Nations sanctions, as well as bombing Libya and meddling in Syria’s internal affairs”, he said.
Turkey deployed a contingent of troops to a camp near the frontlines in northern Iraq last week, provoking an outcry in Baghdad, which condemned it as a violation of sovereignty and asked North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to intervene.
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On Wednesday, however, the Baghdad City Council imposed a ban on imports of Turkish goods to Iraq. Ankara says the Russian airstrikes have been aimed at moderate militant groups made up of ethnic Turks who oppose the Syrian government.
