Iraqi parliamentarians reacted against Turkish soldiers’ presence in Iraq and said Turkey was invading Iraqi territory and will be an obstacle in liberating the Ninova region.

Resul Tayi from Ahrar Group and Firdews Ewadi from State of Law Group in the Iraqi parliament have issued written statements on the Turkish state’s military presence in Iraqi territory.

Ahrar Group parliamentarian Resul Tayi’s statement read: “We were expecting the Turkish parliament to withdraw troops from Iraqi territory, not extend the mandate. The presence of Turkish military forces in the province Ninova will be a problem and an obstacle in liberating Ninova. Turkey’s aim is to invade Mosul. This is why Iraqi armed forces must have a clear stance against this situation.”

State of Law Group parliamentarian Firdews Ewadi said standing against Turkish military forces in Iraqi territory was a duty to the fatherland and also meant fighting against ISIS gangs, and his statement read: “The continued presence of the Turkish soldiers on Iraqi territory is the continuation of the invasion. They must respect the demands of the Iraqi parties and leave the region. The Iraqi government must display a strict stance against Turkish and Erdoğan’s invasion because they are acting out of an Ottoman dream. The US is also responsible for the Turkish military presence in Iraqi territory.”