Abadi: We Do Not Need Turkey's Presence in Mosul Operations

The Prime Minister of Iraq, in a meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Defense, stated that there is no need for Turkish military forces to be involved in the current operations to retake Mosul. Previously, the U.S. Secretary of Defense had mentioned that a 'principled agreement' had been reached for Turkey's involvement. Ashton Carter's discussions with officials in Ankara and Baghdad are seen as an effort to reduce recent tensions, which have escalated in recent weeks due to the continued presence of Turkish troops in northern Iraq, leading to a severe verbal conflict between Baghdad and Ankara. Following a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on October 21, Carter stated that the two neighboring countries had reached a 'principled agreement' allowing Turkish soldiers to participate in the Mosul battle, although he added that Iraq must approve the details of this agreement. Haider Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, emphasized that the Mosul battle pertains to Iraq: 'Iraqis have planned and are conducting this battle. I know the Turks want to participate; we thank them, but this is something that Iraqis will accomplish themselves, and it is the Iraqis who will liberate Mosul and the other areas.' Ashton Carter also mentioned to reporters that the issue of Turkey's role in the Mosul battles is a difficult one, while stressing that Iraq's territorial integrity is of utmost importance during the battles against the group known as the Islamic State. The U.S. Secretary of Defense assured that ensuring Iraq's territorial integrity is a priority for the international coalition against ISIS. Last Tuesday, Erdogan stated that the Turkish army does not need permission from the Iraqi government. He told the Iraqi government and its Prime Minister, 'The Turkish army is not weak enough to take orders from you.' The Turkish President also warned about the role of Shiite militias in the Mosul battle, asserting that his country has responsibilities towards the 'Sunnis' and 'Turkmen' in Iraq. The Iraqi government claims that only its security forces, including the army and national police, are present in the operations to enter the city.