Al Arabiya reports that Iraqi authorities denounced Wednesday renewed Turkish military operations and “incursions” into northern Iraq, urging Ankara to solve security issues diplomatically.
The Turkish army conducts strikes only against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is listed as a “terrorist” group by Ankara and several Western allies, in Northern Iraq. Ankara continuously reiterates that it supports Iraq’s territorial integrity and its aim is only to eliminate PKK terrorists in the region.
The Iraqi government’s objection to Turkish army’s strikes came as a surprise to Turkish public opinion since both countries agreed to fight terrorism on Iraqi lands a few months ago. Besides, Iraq’s silence on the PKK presence, a direct violation of country’s sovereignty, but opposition to anti-terror military operations is seen as the paradox of Iraqi government.
