Iraq Sends Ambassador to Ankara to Discuss Turkish Troops Removal

Baghdad has recently sent an ambassador to Ankara to discuss the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Iraq, Iraqi Ambassador to the United States Lukman Faily told Sputnik.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "We have recently had our ambassador, new ambassador, sent to Ankara about last week, so we have given another sign to Turkey that we are serious about discussions and dialogue," Faily said on Thursday.

In December, Turkey deployed about 150 troops and 25 tanks to a base in the Iraqi Nineveh province, without Baghdad’s approval.

The ambassador noted that Iraq consults with the United States and other countries regarding support from the international community.

“But to that effect, I think it’s important for Turkey to understand that we are determined that every inch of Iraq is free and managed by the Iraqis,” Faily stressed. “And I think there has to be a serious reflection in Turkey to understand the determination of the Iraqis on that aspect of it.”

Ankara said its troops had entered Iraq to protect Turkish instructors deployed at the base earlier to train local militias, fighting against the Islamic State (IS), a terrorist group outlawed in a number of countries worldwide, including the United States and Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Russia demanded that Turkey withdraw its troops from Iraq adding that Turkish actions are completely unacceptable.