Baghdad protesters demand Turkish troops withdraw from northern Iraq
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 18 October 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Baghdad protesters demand Turkish troops withdraw from northern Iraq, 18 October 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a11ea.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 18, 2016
Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr shout slogans during an anti-Turkey protest in front of the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad on October 18.
Thousands of Iraqis have gathered outside the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad to protest against Turkey's military presence in northern Iraq.
Protesters demanded that Ankara withdraw from a base near the city of Mosul, in line with repeated requests by the Iraqi government.
The demonstrators, who included followers of hard-line Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, chanted slogans such as "Get out, occupier."
The Turkish military presence inside Iraq has caused tensions between Baghdad and Ankara.
The Iraqi government denies it has granted permission and has ordered the Turkish troops to withdraw – a call Turkey has ignored.
On October 18, Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said fighters trained by Turkish troops in northern Iraq were at the ongoing operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State group.
Based on reporting by AP and dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
