Iraqi official accuses Turkey of violating his country's sovereignity

Iraq's first Deputy Speaker Humam Hamoudi on Sunday described the Turkish troops entry to the Iraqi territory as a "flagrant violation of the country's national sovereignty".

In a statement, Hamoudi called on the Iraqi government to deal with the Turkish troops according to the Iraqi and international laws that guarantee the right to safeguard national sovereignty in various legitimate means.

Hamoudi said any foreign or Arab military intervention without prior request or permission of the Iraqi government must be rejected as "an act of aggression."

He added that the Iraqi people are stronger than any previous stage and are able to protect their land and defend its sovereignty.

On Saturday, Iraq has called on Turkey to immediately withdraw its troops from Iraq's north, calling their presence a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Prime Minister Haider al Abadi said no permission had been given for the stationing of "around one armed battalion" of Turkish soldiers in the northern Nineveh area near Mosul.

Sources: MENA