People demonstrate in Baghdad against deployment of Turkish Troops in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq (K24) – People in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, started to demonstrate on Saturday against the stationing of Turkish troops in northern Iraq. Iraqi security has made strict measures around the Turkish embassy in the province for the safety of the embassy staff.

On Saturday, Kurdistan24 TV Reporter Adnan Jaff stated that preparations have been made in Baghdad to hold a wide demonstration against the deployment of the Turkish forces in Bashik Town, northern Iraq.

"There is a big threat on the Turkish embassy in Baghdad as the demonstrators might aggressively attack the embassy," Jaff said.

Jaff mentioned that the Turkish embassy has been surrounded and protected by large number of security persons for several days, "but today, the embassy is under more serious risk to be attacked by the demonstrators. Thus, more security forces have been deployed in the area to protect the embassy."

A High-security officer from the Iraqi Interior Ministry, who wanted to remain anonymous in the report due to security issues, revealed to Kurdistan24 TV that "There are some top Shia leaders that support and motivate people to demonstrate. Therefore, Turkey's embassy must be protected against any violent actions."

The demonstration followed the recent deployment of the Turkish forces in Bashik Town, located in northern Mosul City, where Turkish officials said that the troops are there to provide military training to the Arab-Sunni people to participate in the liberation of Mosul from Islamic State (IS).