Baghdad has received “positive signs” from Ankara regarding the Turkish military presence in northern Iraq, a senior Iraqi government official has revealed.
The Iraqi minister told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news site that during a phone call on Saturday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi discussed a number of issues including the Turkish military presence.
“Yildirim told Al-Abadi that his country does not intend to stay for a long period in the north of Iraq. Moreover, Ankara intends to withdraw its troops after the battle of Mosul, and after ensuring that there is no danger from Iraq towards Turkey.”
The office of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi said in a statement on Saturday that Yildirim praised Al-Abadi and the Iraqi army’s successes in Mosul.
“Turkey also pledges to withdraw its troops from Camp Ba’shiqah after the liberation of Mosul,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Al-Abadi said that Iraq was keen on having strong relations with Turkey.
The Turkish-Iraqi relations deteriorated nearly two months ago after Turkey positioned a number of its troops in Iraq, near Mosul.
At the time, Al-Abadi demanded Ankara withdraw its troops.