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Turkey-Iraq: Troop withdrawal or re-organisation?

“We continue to believe that the best path forward, here, is for Turkey and Iraq to work this out bilaterally, and to have discussions”, he said.

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That would fall short of the demands of some in the Iraqi government for a complete withdrawal from the camp.

Since March, Turkey has been operating a training program in the camp.

This is opposed by the government of Prime Minister Hadi al-Abadi and associated Shia militias which also reject the expansion of the 3,500 strong USA military presence in Iraq – said to be “training” the graft-ridden, undermanned and ineffective Iraqi army and providing expertise in special forces operations.

Ameri’s warning came after the crisis of the deployment of Turkish troops near Mosul as Ankara says that this is due to a previous agreement, but Baghdad denies this and confirms that the entry of the forces has been without its knowledge.

The source told Reuters on Monday that the Turkish forces were leaving the camp, close to the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, which is controlled by Daesh terrorist group.

On Dec. 4, approximately 150 Turkish soldiers and about 25 tanks were sent to the camp to replace training units already in the area.

Turkish troops helping train Peshmerga fighters to combat ISIL, who hold Mosul.

Baghdad gave Turkey an ultimatum on Sunday to withdraw its troops within 48 hours, otherwise, it might take the case to the UN Security Council.

People in Baghdad, Iraq protested the unwanted Turkish troops this weekend. “Why no one talks about the presence of Iranian troops and its violation to Iraqi territory”.

Defining Iraqi government’s steps towards Turkey as “stable”, he described Turkey’s military involvement in northern Iraq as “complicated”.

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Al-Falih believes that Iraq can not afford to severe trade and economic ties with Turkey despite the threats.

Iraqi Shiite militias in Baghdad, Basra protest Turkish deployment in north