Iraq to deploy more soldiers to border with Turkey

BAGHDAD

The Iraqi government has decided to deploy guards to its border with Turkey to prevent any breaches from happening, a statement from the Prime Minister’s office said. 

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi chaired a meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security on Sept. 17 in Baghdad to discuss security and stability within the country and on its border.

In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministerial Council issued several orders including the deployment of border guards across Iraq’s border with Turkey “to prevent any violations.”

“The Foreign Ministry will take the necessary measures to document the Turkish violations of Iraqi airspace to the United Nations,” the statement said.

Reviewing the structure of the Iraqi Federal Police and approving the security memorandum of understanding between Iraq and Hungary’s interior ministries were among other decisions made by the Ministerial Council.

In the past months, Turkey has stepped up airstrikes against the illegal PKK.

Turkish jets hit PKK targets in northern Iraq as its headquarters are in the Qandil Mountains in the neighboring country.