Iraq Urges Turkey to Immediately Withdraw Its Troops

Turkish troops are in Iraqi territory "without the knowledge nor permission of the Iraqi government, and Iraq demanded via diplomatic channels that Turkey immediately withdraw its troops, within a maximum of two days," a statement quoted Abadi telling NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a phone conversation.

"The situation violates Iraq's sovereignty, and NATO must use its power and force Turkey to immediately withdraw its troops from Iraqi territory," read the statement.

An earlier statement by Iraq's Council of Ministers, headed by Abadi, said "Iraq's sovereignty and its geographical borders are a red line particularly since there exists no signed agreement between Iraq nor any accord permitting Turkey to trespass the country's borders under any pretext."

The council declared that it authorized Abadi to take the necessary measures regarding the deployment of Turkish troops in Iraq.