MESOP NEWS FOCUS : AGREEMENT ANKARA/BAGHDAD / BAD NEWS FOR PKK ?

Iraq and Turkey agree on withdrawal of Turkish troops from Bashiqa: Abadi

8 Jan 2017 – MESOP  – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi stated that his country and neighboring Turkey have reach deal over the withdrawal of the latter’s forces from Bashiqa camp in northern Iraq, an issue the fanned tensions between the two states.

Abadi made the remarks after a meeting with his visiting Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim in Baghdad on Saturday, January 7. Iraqi PM Abadi and his Turkish counterpart held a press conference following a meeting attended by the officials and ministers of both countries, Kurdistan 24 reported.

Abadi said during the press conference said that we discussed the presence of terrorists groups in Iraq and Islamic State (IS) in Syria, and the importance to increase coordination between Iraq and Turkey to eliminate terror threats. “Our constitution does not allow any group to have activities against neighboring countries inside Iraq or to have bases in the country,” Abadi said. Abadi also added that “Iraq calls upon Turkey to withdraw its troops from Bashiqa base and the Turkish side emphasized on its respect for the sovereignty and integrity of Iraq in this regard.” www.mesop.de