Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has arrived in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, for an unannounced visit, indicating that he will meet with several Iraqi officials.
According to Russia Today, Minister Akar arrived in Baghdad today, Monday, for this unannounced visit, and is set to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, his Iraqi counterpart Jumaa Anad, and other officials. The reasons for the visit and the agenda have not been disclosed.
It is noteworthy that Ayoub Al-Rubaiyi, a member of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, referred to a report by the French newspaper "Le Figaro," which highlighted what it called Erdogan's "plans" in 2021, describing it as a "year of regional expansion" for him.
Al-Rubaiyi explained that the regime of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein entered into an agreement with Turkey nearly half a century ago, allowing Turkish forces to infiltrate a limited distance into Iraqi territory to combat the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). He pointed out that, following developments in the ground situation, Ankara has established military bases and conducted airstrike operations under various pretexts.
Al-Rubaiyi confirmed Turkey's ambitions in Iraq, noting that intermittent incursions serve as clear messages attempting to exploit Iraq's internal exceptional situation to impose a fait accompli policy. He regarded the presence of Turkish bases and military personnel as a violation of the country's sovereignty.
Earlier, "Le Figaro" warned in its report that Erdogan is now looking towards Iraq, stating that nothing is stopping him. The report mentioned that Turkish military operations intensified significantly last year under different names, suggesting a larger operation in the coming months to occupy Iraqi territories and establish permanent military bases under the pretext of clearing the border region between Turkey and Iraq of any presence of PKK fighters, which Ankara classifies as terrorists.
