Iraq: Turkey Did Not Join Mosul Operation

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Iraqi Army Joint Operations Command announced yesterday (October 24) that the statements that Turkey had joined the Mosul operation were not true.  

The Agence France-Press (AFP) reported that the spokesperson of the Iraqi Army Joint Operations Command had denied that Turkey had joined the operations launched in order to liberate Ninova.

PM Yıldırım: “We have provided support for Peshmerga forces”

Stating that the peshmerga forces have launched an operation to take Bashiqa back from ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said yesterday (October 24) ; “They demanded help from our forces in Bashiqa base. And now we provide support with our artillerists and tanks there”.

CLICK - PM YILDIRIM: WE PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE PESHMERGA

Al abadi had said “No need for Turkey’s help”

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi had stated following a meeting with the US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter in Iraq on October 23;

“I know that the Turks want to participate in Mosul operation. We want to express our thanks to them. But this is a situation which Iraqis can handle themselves. If needed, we can demand help from Turkey and other states in the region”.

Contradictory statements from PM Yıldırım

PM Yıldırım who had announced that the Turkish Air Forces has joined the operation run in Mosul following the AKP group meeting on October 18, had later responded to the questions of  journalists “Did jets of Turkey join the operation?” as;

“Not at the moment.

“I don’t know the details of the operations there right now. When our jets are put to use, we will have participated in the operations. What matters is to take part in the coalition. In principle, there is an agreement on Turkey’s involvement in the coalition. When demanded, our forces will have participated in the coalition”

CLICK - CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS BY PM YILDIRIM IN TURKEY’S PARTICIPATION IN MOSUL

(YY/DG)