Iraqi politicians are taking advantage of the crisis with Turkey to achieve personal interests, as well as the interests of neighbouring countries associated with them, without taking into consideration the interests of the Iraqi people. The politicians are promoting the option of military conflict with Turkey by pushing militias to take action against Turkish interests in Iraq.
In this context, former Vice President of Iraq, Nouri Al-Maliki, warned during his visit to the Badr Brigade headquarters, part of the Popular Mobilisation Forces, against the “danger of Turkish forces entering Iraq and the attempts of the enemies to carry out their division plans in Iraq, which include the separation of Al-Anbar and Mosul.”
He added: “Turkey is being hypocritical in its fight against Daesh, as it claims to combat terrorists on the ground, while it secretly supports these groups by equipping them with the weapons and the capabilities they need.” Al-Maliki also stressed the need to refuse the Turkish presence in Iraqi territories.
“These forces are invasive forces that must immediately leave the country, or the options for confrontation on the ground will become numerous. This is because all the Iraqi people, regardless of their affiliations, refuse the presence of foreign forces on their land,” he said.
He called on the Popular Mobilisation Forces to “be prepared and vigilant for the confrontation of enemy’s plans”. He also urged the Iraqi people to “stage protests on Saturday to reject the Turkish presence in Iraq as a response to all those trying to violate the land and sovereignty of Iraq.”