Iraqi government approved Turkish-Bashik military base: KRG

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The opening of military bases in northern Mosul and the stationing of Turkish military advisers were approved by the Iraqi Defense Ministry and federal government, said a Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) official on Thursday.

Safeen Dizayi, the KRG spokesperson, clarified the stationing of the Turkish military advisers in northern Mosul after the emergence of the Islamic State (IS) in northern Iraq.

Dizayi explained the US-led coalition and other countries provided military aid and training to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to combat IS.

“In this framework, two military bases for training were opened in Dubardan and Bashik areas near Mosul with the approval of the Defense Minister of Iraq and federal government,” he stated.

Additionally, Dizayi mentioned the purpose of the military bases was to train police and Sunni volunteering forces of Nineveh Province.

“The KRG has provided facilities in this process,” he said.

“Within the framework of this process, Turkish military advisers have provided training to police and volunteering forces of Nineveh,” the spokesperson added.

“The Iraqi Defense Minister had visited the military bases and Turkish troops in the area,” Dizayi continued.

He emphasized that neither the Kurdistan Region Presidency nor the KRG were aware of any other plans.

Dizayi’s comments came after tensions rose between the federal government of Iraq and Turkey regarding the stationing of Turkish troops in northern Iraq.

The disagreement led to both sides recently summoning the respective ambassadors to each country regarding the issue.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany