Iraq Intends to Solve Crisis With Turkey by Political Means – FM

Baghdad intends to resolve the current conflict with Ankara, which escalated after Turkey sent its troops to the Iraqi territory, by political means, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Jaafari said Sunday, as quoted by media.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On December 4, Turkey deployed about 150 troops and 25 tanks to a base in the Iraqi Nineveh province, without Baghdad’s approval. Baghdad views the deployment as illegal.

"We are keen to keep our good relations with Turkey and are committed to finding a political solution to the crisis that has recently surfaced between the two countries," Jaafari said, as quoted by the Anadolu news agency.

However, the Iraqi foreign minister stressed that "the sovereignty of Iraq is a red line that must not be crossed," the media reported.

On Saturday, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said it had officially filed a complaint with the UN Security Council, calling on the United Nations to ensure an immediate withdrawal of the Turkish forces from Iraq.