TODAY.AZ / World news

Turkey, Iraq to launch joint military exercise

26 September 2017 [10:40] - TODAY.AZ

By Azernews


By Rashid Shirinov

Turkey and Iraq have announced launch of a joint military exercise on the Turkish-Iraqi border following a controversial referendum in northern Iraq.

Turkey started its military maneuvers in southeastern Silopi region on September 18, a week ahead of the referendum on independence in northern Iraq, Anadolu Agency reported.

The Kurdish Regional Government’s (KRG) held a controversial independence referendum in northern Iraq, including areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad, on September 25.  Although the final results are expected within three days, bulk of the voters reportedly said “Yes”.

Along with Baghdad, Turkey, the U.S., Iran and the UN have all spoken out against the poll, saying it will only distract from the ongoing fight against Daesh and further destabilize the region.

The Turkish General Staff said the third phase of the military exercise will start on Tuesday jointly with the Iraqi military in the Habur border gate, also known as Ibrahim Khalil border crossing, on the Turkish-Iraqi border in Silopi district of Sirnak province.

The area sits to the north of the Syrian and Iraqi borders and contains the Habur border crossing, which provides the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq with its main access point to the outside world.

Across the Syrian frontier from Silopi lies territory controlled by the PKK/PYD. Counter-terrorism operations targeting the PKK on the Turkish side of the border are ongoing, the statement said.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by the EU and U.S. as well as Turkey, although only Turkey has designated the PKK/PYD as a terror group in Syria, where it is used by the U.S.-led coalition to fight Daesh.

Earlier Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would take political, economic, commercial and security steps against the KRG.

The U.S. State Department said last week the referendum would preclude the possibility of negotiations with the Baghdad central government and present a high cost for "all Iraqis, including Kurds”.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/regions/165135.html

Print version

Views: 1398

Connect with us. Get latest news and updates.

Recommend news to friend

  • Your name:
  • Your e-mail:
  • Friend's name:
  • Friend's e-mail: