Turkey’s continued attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan and civilian deaths during its operations will do great harm to relations between Iraq and Turkey, Nuri al-Maliki, Iraq’s former prime minister and leader of the largest Shiite organisation in the country, said in a statement on Thursday.
Maliki condemned Wednesday’s Turkish drone strike in Iraq’s Sinjar region that killed a father and his small child next door to the intended target, the People’s Assembly building.
There have been many protests from the Iraqi side against Turkey’s attacks and killing of civilians, but the Kurdistan Regional Government does not have a reaction, he said.
Turkey’s continuous attacks on Iraqi soil and citizens must be stood up against, Maliki said. “Any attacks on our soil are unacceptable. The government must take steps to stop these attacks.”
“Iraq should review its approach to Turkey and its relationship with the country because of these current attacks,” he continued, saying Turkey was in violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.
Maliki previously said Turkey had been eyeing parts of Iraqi territory and wanting to take control of these areas.
“All the chips are down now. We can no longer tolerate the bombardments, the shooting of civilians and the construction of Turkish bases on our lands. We have no more patience with Turkey.” Maliki said.
