Islam Times - Iraq Warn Turkey against Any Incursion

Islam Times - Iraqi Prime Minister warned on Tuesday Turkey against any form of incursion into his country’s territory.

Haidr al-Abadi warned that Baghdad will respond proportionally to any possible Turkish incursion that he believes still is a viable threat.

Iraq will not interfere in domestic affairs of any other country but reserves the right to fight back against any attack on its territory, Abadi said during a news conference in Baghdad.

Iraqi Prime Minister said Baghdad cared for the security of Tal Afar more than any foreign government.

The comments are apparent response to previous interventionist remarks by Turkish president, Reccep Tayyip Erdogan who claimed his country was seeking to reinforce its troops in Tal Afar and vowed a "different response" if the Iraqi forces allegedly "cause terror" there.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Abadi hailed Iraq's national unity and stressed that security forces have so far made no mistake regarding the civilians.

On Tuesday, Turkish military sources announced that a convoy of around 30 tanks and artillery has been deployed to the country’s southeastern town of Silopi, located on the border with Iraq.

Turkey's Defense Minister Fikri Isik said the measures were part of Ankara's preparation for "important developments in the region."

"Turkey is preparing in advance for whatever happens (and) this is one element of that," he noted.

Photos provided by the sources showed a long column of vehicles, including tanks, tank rescue vehicles, and construction vehicles in single file on a dual carriageway.