There and Back Again: Turkish Forces Pulling Out of Iraq

Sputnik News

21:12 27.12.2015(updated 21:21 27.12.2015)

However, about 100 Turkish servicemen still remain in the Ninevah province of Iraq, according to a local government official.

The Turkish forces are gradually withdrawing from a military camp in the vicinity of Bashiqa, in the Iraqi province of Nineveh, local TV channel Al Sumaria reports.

'The Turkish soldiers are gradually withdrawing from Camp Zalikan near Bashiqa,'deputy chairman of the Nineveh provincial council told Al Sumaria.

'There are about 100 Turkish soldiers left in Bashiqa, including instructors,' the official also said, adding that the troops 'have tanks and artillery, as well as logistical support.'

Ankara started withdrawing its troops on December 14, after Iraq had officially filed a complaint with the UN Security Council, calling on the United Nations to ensure an immediate pullout of the Turkish forces from its country's territory.

On December 4, Turkey deployed about 150 troops and 25 tanks to the Bashiqa camp in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh, without Baghdad's approval, claiming that its goal was to train and equip Iraqi forces to fight Daesh.

The Iraqi government declared this move a hostile act and a breach of the country's sovereignty.

© Sputnik