Turkey disappointed by Iraqi PM’s criticism of airstrikes against PKK

ANKARA

REUTERS photo

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has expressed its disappointment over the Iraqi prime minister’s reaction to the Turkish military’s aerial operations in northern Iraq.

In a written statement on July 31, the Foreign Ministry recalled Turkey’s struggle against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and noted the Iraqi government was aware of Ankara’s will on the issue, which encouraged neighborhood relations between the two countries. 

“Nevertheless, the Iraqi government’s negative attitude about [Turkey’s] steps taken within international law [against] being exposed to terrorist attacks and our country’s operations against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party [PKK] in Iraqi borders is disappointing,” read the statement. 

“It is obvious that many armed PKK militants have been sheltered inside Iraqi territory for years, although the Iraqi government promises not to allow any attack from Iraqi lands into Turkey,” said the ministry, adding the Iraqi government cannot fulfill this commitment.

It was not possible to accept and understand the opposing attitude of those who can’t control their border, and whose lands are one-third controlled by a terrorist organization, it said. 

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had earlier criticized the airstrikes launched by the Turkish military on PKK hideouts in northern Iraq. 

The airstrikes have created dangerous tension and posed a threat to Iraq’s territorial integrity, al-Abadi had posted on his Twitter account.