Baghdad demands Erbil clarify its position on Turkish presence in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

BAGHDAD — Saudi media outlet Okaz, quoting sources in the Iraqi parliament, reported that Baghdad had sent a letter to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to clarify the reason for the Turkish military presence in the north of the country.

The Turkish military bases in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) should be subject to the authority of the KRG, the letter reportedly said, adding that the KRG must take a clear stance on the violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Baghdad called on the KRG to clarify the nature of Turkish military movements within the KRI borders and clarify whether these movements are carried out with the consent of the KRG or not.

Retired Iraqi Major General Majid al-Qubaisi indicated that the Turkish government is expanding its military presence in the Metina region and that they plan to build a new military base in the region. The new base would be the largest in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). There are already 37 Turkish military bases in the KRI.