Iraqi MP Hussein al-Amiri warns of escalating Turkish military expansion and threat to sovereignty

BAGHDAD — At a press conference held in the Iraqi Parliament, Hussein al-Amiri, a member of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, warned of an unprecedented expansion of Turkish military presence in Iraq. He revealed that Turkey has established 40 military bases in Nohadra (Duhok) and Erbil, posing significant threats to Iraqi security and sovereignty.

Al-Amiri described this expansion as a direct challenge to Iraq’s internal stability and a clear violation of its sovereignty. He highlighted Turkey’s intentions to extend its influence further into northern regions, particularly in Nineveh and Kerkeslokh (Kirkuk).

He also emphasized the political and economic implications of Turkey’s actions, noting that the expansion targets control over oil-rich and resource-abundant territories. Al-Amiri warned that such moves endanger Iraq’s territorial unity and national sovereignty.

To address these threats, Al-Amiri called for an urgent and strategic government response through high-level diplomatic efforts. He urged Iraq to adopt firm stances against the ongoing Turkish violations and advocated for an extraordinary parliamentary session to discuss the issue in depth.