Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) and President of Iraq'a northern Kurdish region, Massoud Barzani. President Erdogan had earlier defended his country's deployment of additional forces to Iraq. (AP Photo)
Ankara:
Turkey's state-run news agency says the country is withdrawing some of its soldiers stationed at a camp in Iraq as part of a "re-arrangement" of its troops.
Anadolu Agency, quoting unnamed military officials, said today that a 10 or 12-vehicle convoy, including tanks, had left the Bashiqa camp and was heading toward northern Iraq. The agency did not provide further details.
Turkey has had troops near the Islamic State-held city of Mosul in northern Iraq since last year, but the arrival of additional troops last week sparked uproar in Iraq. Ankara subsequently halted new deployments.
Iraq had asked Turkey to withdraw its troops.
Anadolu Agency, quoting unnamed military officials, said today that a 10 or 12-vehicle convoy, including tanks, had left the Bashiqa camp and was heading toward northern Iraq. The agency did not provide further details.
Turkey has had troops near the Islamic State-held city of Mosul in northern Iraq since last year, but the arrival of additional troops last week sparked uproar in Iraq. Ankara subsequently halted new deployments.
Iraq had asked Turkey to withdraw its troops.
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