Iraqi PM: Turkey Fights in Iraq for Own Influence, Not Against Terrorism

Relations between Turkey and Iraq deteriorated after Turkey dispatched its troops in Iraq allegedly to fight against ISIL in late 2015, Sputnik reported.

The Turkish government said its forces would participate in the operation on the liberation of Mosul, however, Iraqi authorities claim they had not given their consent for this participation.

“Turkey does not fight against Daesh, it fights for its interests and extension on influence,” Abadi said during the Islamic forum in Baghdad, as quoted by Rudaw news agency.

On Friday, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said that Iraq and Turkey reached preliminary agreement on the framework of Turkish military participation in the fight against Daesh.

Iraqi government spokesman Saad al-Hudaythi said later on the same day that no concrete agreements had been reached yet.