Iraqi Leader Resists US Push for Turkish Role in Mosul Fight
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – US Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s push for Iraq to let Turkey play a role in the battle to retake Mosul from the Daesh (ISIL) group encountered stiff resistance from Iraq’s prime minister, who said his country’s forces will oust the terrorists from the northern city.
“I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories,” Haider al-Abadi said through a translator after meeting with the Pentagon chief.
Iraqi, Kurdish and other local forces will handle the battle for Mosul, al-Abadi said.
“We don’t have any problems,” he said, adding that if help is needed, “we will ask for it from Turkey or from other regional countries.”
Carter told reporters the issue of a Turkish role in the Mosul fight is a difficult subject, and that Abadi said in the meeting he has had talks with the Turks and expected to have more.
Iraqi sovereignty is a key principle, Carter said, and the American role is to work with partners in the coalition and try to resolve such matters, and ensure that everyone is focused on fighting Daesh.
“I am confident that we can plan a constructive role there,” he said, adding that Turkey is a member of the coalition, the Associated Press reported.
One day earlier, Carter met with Turkish leaders in Ankara and told reporters of “an agreement in principle” for Turkey to play a role in the Mosul battle.
Carter stressed at the time that any final decision would be up to the Iraqis, while expressing optimism the Turks and Iraqis could settle their differences.
Carter arrived in Iraq on Saturday to meet with his commanders and assess the progress in the opening days of the Mosul operation.
His visit came two days after a US service member was killed outside Mosul, a sign of the risks facing American troops as they advise Iraqi forces in the fight.
