Leader of the Sabian Mandaeans rejects Turkish attacks on northern Iraq

IRAQ – The head of the Sabian Mandaeans in Iraq, Sheikh Sattar Jabbar Hilu, has strongly spoken out publicly against the ongoing Turkish attacks on northern Iraq and called for all Turkish military units to withdraw from all parts of Iraq. “While we reject all Turkish attacks on Iraqi territory, positive talks should be started with Turkey about a common benefit base between the two countries. The current crisis over security needs to be solved through cooperation and joint policies. The sovereignty of Iraq, however, must not be endangered by this.”

Sheikh Sattar Jabbar Hilu calls the fact that Iraq has become an area for wars and for various countries and parties to settle their disputes as a bad thing. “The Turkish government should withdraw its troops in a way that shows respect for the sovereignty of the country of Iraq. These hostilities do not create a basis for solving the security problems between countries.”

According to Sheikh Sattar Jabbar Hilu, Iraq has every right to take all measures available to it under international law and UN agreements against the intrusions of its northern neighbor.