Iraqi MoD denies having info on deployment of Turkish troops

Iraqi Defense Ministry said on Saturday that it had no prior information on the deployment of Turkish troops inside Iraq near the northern city of Mosul.

Speaking to MENA, Iraqi Defense Ministry media advisor Nasir Nouri dismissed media reports claiming the Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al Obaidi was informed with the presence of Turkish troops.

Few numbers of Turkish trainers are known to be working at the Ninevah's camp under the command of the US-led coalition, el Obaidi said.

The official termed the Turkish military expansion as a violation of international law and goes against the principles of good neighborliness.

Iraqi Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces has repeated Baghdad stance on the troop deployment as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, Obaidi added.

Hakim al Zamili, the head of parliament's security and defense committee called for urgent session to discuss the Turkish violations.

Iraqi MP Jasim Mohammad Jaafar condemned the incursion accusing Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani of taking part in a 'conspiracy' by letting the Turkish troops to enter Iraq.

Kurdish sources said about 220 additional Turkish troops, backed by eight tanks and a number of military trucks had been deployed near Mosul.

Sources: MENA