Turkey’s Foreign Minister Calls Iraq's Prime Minister ‘Weak Politician’

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday called Iraqi Prime Minister Haydar Abadi "a weak politician" unable to fight Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants, outlawed in Turkey.

ANKARA (Sputnik) – On Tuesday, Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik confirmed reports about the deployment of additional troops and military equipment near the border with Iraq to "prepare for possible developments in the region." Later in the day, Iraqi prime minister warned that the Turkish military invasion on Iraq's territory would lead to the breakup of Turkey itself. He stressed that Iraq did not want war with Turkey, however, Baghdad was ready for it in case of Turkish provocation.

"If you [Abadi] have the power, why did you leave Mosul to terrorists in the first place? Why has the PKK been invading your lands for years? You are weak but trying to bully and being rhetorical," Cavusoglu told journalists.

He added that Turkish officials had repeatedly declared Turkey would take measures to ensure its security, and Ankara was taking these measures now.

According to Cavusoglu, Iraq’s security was the same important for Turkey as its own as Iraq remained Ankara’s "friend and brother."

Turkey has been seeking an active role in the Iraqi military operation to recapture the Daesh stronghold of Mosul in northern Iraq.

Turkey sent troops across the border late last year to allegedly train Sunni fighters at a base near the Daesh-held Iraqi town of Bashiqa, prompting protests from Baghdad.