Abadi urges Saudis, Turkey to stay out of Iraq
The Iraqi prime minister has called on Turkey and Saudi Arabia to stop interfering in the domestic affairs of his country, which is engaged in a campaign against the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group.
“We have well intentions for Saudi Arabia and Turkey provided that they do not interfere in the domestic affairs of our country,” he told a forum of Muslim scholars and politicians in Baghdad Saturday.
The opening of the 9th session of the Supreme Council of the World Assembly of Islamic Awakening in the Iraqi capital coincided with the country’s ongoing push to retake its second city of Mosul from Daesh terrorists.
Turkey is adamantly insisting that it wants to play a military role in the Mosul recapture despite Iraq’s opposition, triggering a serious diplomatic row between the two neighbors.
Abadi said Turkey is not battling Daesh, but is trying to defend its interests and expand its outreach. He said Ankara did not help Baghdad when it was requested.
On Friday, the Turkish Red Crescent said that it is sending trucks of aid to northern Iraq with enough food and humanitarian supplies for 10,000 people displaced by the Mosul offensive.
In the run-up to the Mosul operation, Saudi Arabia replaced its ambassador to Baghdad, who had repeatedly drawn the ire of Iraqi leaders for his meddling remarks, but the kingdom downgraded its ties to charge d’affaires level.
There are countries that support terrorism for their own interests while others are seeking to sow discord, he added.
Abadi further stressed that his country is capable enough to counter Daesh and terrorism.
Commenting on the operation underway to liberate Mosul, Abadi emphasized that the situation will improve in the strategic city while Iraqi forces are at the final stages of defeating Daesh in Arab the country.
During the summit, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri accused terrorists of attempting to spread their radical ideas in the name of religion.
A meeting should be held with the participation of Turkey and Saudi Arabia to address the disputes, he said, adding that Muslim countries must draw up regulations to counter terrorism.
