Al-Khazali calls for full withdrawal of Turkish forces from Iraq

BAGHDAD — Qais Al-Khazali, leader of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, called for “the complete withdrawal of Turkish military forces from Iraq” during a meeting in Baghdad with Anil Bora Inan, the new Turkish Ambassador to Iraq.

According to a statement from Al-Khazali’s office, he emphasized “the need to establish genuine trust between the two neighboring countries,” stating that “all Turkish military forces must fully withdraw from Iraq, and all Iraqi territories should be under the control of Iraqi forces to ensure sovereignty and security.”

Al-Khazali also voiced his opposition to the recently signed “Iraqi-Turkish Memorandum of Understanding,” arguing that it “does not provide a comprehensive solution to the unresolved issues between the two countries.”

While Baghdad and Ankara have been strengthening cooperation, particularly in security and counterterrorism efforts against the PKK, the memorandum of understanding signed on Aug. 15 was described by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein as “a qualitative addition to our bilateral relations and an affirmation of our joint commitment to peace and stability in the region.” The agreement includes plans to establish “a joint security coordination center in Baghdad, and a joint training and cooperation center in Bashiqa to combat terrorism.”

Khazali stressed “the importance of creating a comprehensive and serious roadmap to discuss the withdrawal of Turkish forces as a fundamental step toward building trust and achieving Iraq’s sovereignty.”

Turkey has intensified its operations against the PKK and its affiliates in the Kurdistan Region, particularly through Operation Claw-Lock, initiated in April 2022. Turkish troops have maintained a presence in Bashiqa, a base northeast of Mosul, for nearly a decade. A report from the American human rights organization Community Peacemaker Teams – Iraqi Kurdistan indicates that Turkey has established 74 military bases within the Kurdistan region, with 56 located in the Zakho and Amedi districts of Duhok governorate and 18 in the Mergasur and Sidakan districts of Erbil.

Excerpt statement from Qais Al-Khazali’s office:

At the beginning of his discussion with the visiting delegation, Sheikh Qais al-Khazali stressed the importance of establishing genuine foundations of trust between the two neighboring countries. He emphasized the “need for the complete withdrawal of Turkish military forces from Iraq and for all Iraqi territories to be under the control of Iraqi forces to ensure sovereignty and security.”

Sheikh Qais al-Khazali clearly expressed his “rejection of the so-called Iraqi-Turkish Memorandum of Understanding” that was recently signed, arguing that it “does not provide a comprehensive solution to the outstanding issues between the two countries.”

He further stressed the necessity of creating “a comprehensive and serious roadmap to discuss the withdrawal of Turkish forces as a fundamental step towards building trust and achieving Iraq’s sovereignty.” He also spoke to the Turkish delegation about the true capabilities of the Iraqi forces in securing borders, citing the experiences gained on the Syrian border following the defeat of ISIS terrorist groups. He asserted that “these successful Iraqi experiences can be replicated on the border between the two countries, in cooperation with Turkish forces after their withdrawal from Iraq.”