Iraqi PM urges Turkish troops to withdraw since Mosul battle ended

TEHRAN (defapress) – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the end of the battle for Mosul and called on Turkish troops to withdraw from Iraq, media reported on Wednesday.

News ID: 65338

Date: 19 July 2017 - 12:56

According to a broadcaster's post in Twitter, Abadi urged the Turkish troops "to retreat and leave Iraq, says #Mosul battle completed."

On July 9, Abadi officially announced that Iraqi security forces had finally liberated Mosul, the second largest Iraqi city, after months of fighting against ISIL terrorist group. The city was seized by ISIL three years ago.

On July 11, Commander of US-led anti-ISIL coalition, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, said that the cleanup of Iraqi Mosul from the militants would take several more weeks.

Relations between Turkey and Iraq deteriorated after Ankara dispatched its troops in Iraq allegedly to fight Daesh in late 2015. The Turkish government said its forces would participate in the operation on the liberation of Mosul, however, Iraqi authorities claim they have not given their consent for this participation.