BAGHDAD (Sputnik) — Iraqi authorities have reiterated that they have the right to take action to protect national sovereignty as Turkey deployed its troops to northern Iraq's Nineveh province, the government said in a statement obtained by Sputnik on Tuesday.
On December 4, Turkey deployed up to 150 military personnel to the northern Iraqi province, without Baghdad’s approval, allegedly to provide training to Kurdish militia who are fighting extremists.
"The government is committed to maintaining good neighborly relations, but at the same time reiterates its right to take measures to protect national sovereignty," the government said in the statement.
On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi gave Turkey 48 hours to withdraw its troops, saying that Iraq could then resort to any measures, which include raising the issue in the UN Security Council.
