The demonstrators also called for the immediate withdrawal of Turkish troops from the Iraqi soil, Press TV reported.
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However, President Erdoğan again vowed on December 11 that Turkey would not withdraw troops, despite strong objections from Baghdad.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has spoken by phone with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari to discuss the “unlawful incursion” of Turkish troops in northern Iraq, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. He added that Turkey is “determined” to continue the training program.
Sistani urged citizens to show restraint towards foreign residents of Iraq, after Shiite paramilitary groups threatened to use force against Turkey and target its interests to force it to pull out. In addition, 20-25 tanks were also deployed to the region.
“As the leader of a military brigade, I am not fully satisfied with the government’s action, and we are here to say that Iraq’s patience has run out”, said Ali Rubaie, the commander of a unit usually stationed west of Baghdad.
“We demand the UN Security Council takes responsibility…to order Turkey to immediately withdraw its troops”, a statement by Abadi’s office said.
Despite the uncompromising language from Erdoğan, sources suggest that moves are being made behind the scenes to smooth over the tension.
“If Turkey thinks Iraq is busy with fighting Daesh [Islamic State] and it can seize the opportunity to deploy troops then it should think twice before making such a mistake”, said Abu Muntathar al-Moussawi, a local commander of another militia group called Asaib Ahl al-Haq.
Iraq on Friday circulated a letter among the members of the UN Security Council to express “growing alarm” that the problem was not being resolved.
Separately, Iraqi officials say a suicide vehicle bomb targeting a border security post in the western Al Anbar Governorate has killed five and wounded 10. “After these demands, we set up the Bashiqa camp. We have no such luxury”, Erdoğan said.
Which is why the Turkish government refuses to withdraw, as they are providing support to the peshmerga as they prepare to push ISIS out of Mosul.
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Turkey’s Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu and National Intelligence Agency (MIT) head Hakan Fidan visited Baghdad on Thursday for talks with Abadi on the issue.
