The political uncertainty in Iraq triggered a new crisis and the streets turned into a battlefield. The tension that escalated with the statements of Muqtada es-Sadr turned into attacks targeting public institutions and Iranian-backed structures.
Erşat Salihi, an Iraqi deputy and former head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC), described the events as a rehearsal for dividing Iraq. Recalling the disaster in 2014, Salihi said that he observed the events on the spot in Baghdad and said, “An absolute Turkmen force must be established in Kirkuk and Mosul. Turkey and the Turkish army are a source of trust for all Kurds, Arabs and Turkmens in terms of Iraq’s territorial integrity and stability.”
STARTED AFTER THE ARAB SUMMIT
According to the news of Turkey Newspaper; Just before the events in Iraq, a meeting was held in the city of El Alamein, located on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, with the participation of four Arab country leaders.
The main agenda item of the meeting, which was attended by high-level political, intelligence and military executives from Bahrain, Egypt, UAE and Jordan, was to limit Iran’s power in the region.
The decisions at the summit, where steps will be taken to reduce Iran’s increasing political and military influence in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, were reported to the Baghdad administration.
Erşat Salihi, Iraqi parliamentarian and Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission, drew attention to the demographic design and energy dimension of the event. He emphasized that calculations were made for the transportation of Syrian and Iraqi oil to Israel via Akka and especially for changing the Turkey corridor regarding energy flow.
THEY SEEK OPPORTUNITY
The street events that started in Baghdad and spread to other regions, especially Basra, are of particular interest to the fate of Mosul and Kirkuk. Erşat Salihi said, “If tens of PKK terrorists have infiltrated the Turkmeneli region and the central authority weakens, they will attack directly. PEJAK is massing on the Iraqi border to support the PKK. Another threat, DAESH cells also want to use this as an opportunity. Other separatist elements that have plans on Kirkuk and Mosul are also on alert. We want a strong Turkmen armed force to prevent a new wave of massacres. At this point, our main strategy is to have the numbers and equipment to withstand the first wave of attacks. We need to get over this first shock. It saves us time. We have full confidence that Turkey will then intervene in this chaos and take the military, political and humanitarian step that will ensure the safety of life for all Kurds, Turkmen and Arabs. Turkey’s de facto act as the country that attaches the highest value to Iraq’s territorial integrity, stability and security His presence is the most important element of trust for all our Arab and Kurdish brothers,” he said.
SIR AGENDA AT THE MEETING TURKEY
Just before the dangerous events in Iraq, a series of meetings organized by the National Security unit were held. Iraqi intelligence executives and other military-civilian experts attended the secret sessions on topics such as Lausanne, the 1926 Ankara Agreement, possible developments that would undermine Turkey’s security, Ankara’s steps to take in such a situation, and the right to intervene in Iraq.
At the meetings organized by the Iraqi National Security, the developments in the north and the energy issue were also discussed. It was learned that there was not a complete consensus in the said talks and that the results that would guide the state policy and guide the government could not be obtained, but it was decided to continue.
Stating that he watched the course of events and the spiral of increasing violence in Baghdad, Erşat Salihi said, “If the demonstrators stay in the Green Zone a little longer, the country will enter an irreversible path. We will face a new reality of chaos. At this point, the decision of the Federal Court and the call for early elections announced. “Otherwise, if the fire spreads to the south and turns into a fight involving Arab-Shiite tribes, we may face the danger of division,” he warned.
Salihi expressed the opinion that Turkey, which he sees as the guarantor of peace, will not leave the Turkmen in this fire pit.
THE RIGHT TO INTERVENTION CAN Arise
The conflicts in Iraq, the danger of civil war and division brought the 1926-1946 agreements, which were signed, back to the agenda. Kirkuk and Mosul, which remained within the borders of the National Pact, were abandoned on the condition of ensuring their territorial integrity.
The Ankara Agreement, signed in 1926, gives Turkey the right to intervene militarily in Mosul and Kirkuk in case of continuing turmoil in Iraq. The Istanbul Agreement, which was signed in 1946, also brings up Turkey’s rights when it is divided or the region is under the control of illegal organizations.