Turkey not sincere in anti-terror fight: Analyst

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has opposed the US push for the participation of Turkey in the ongoing Iraqi military operation to retake the strategic northern city of Mosul from Daesh Takfiri terrorists, stressing Iraqi forces will accomplish the task themselves.  

The people of Iraq do not see Turkey as an “honest participant” in the fight against terrorism due to its support for the Daesh Takfiri terrorists, said an Iraqi political commentator.

“Turkey is considered not only by Iraq, by many people in the entire world as one of the biggest backers of ISIS (Daesh) in Iraq and other terrorist groups in the Middle Eats particularly in Syria and Iraq,” Sabah Jawad told Press TV.

“Therefore we [Iraqi people] do not see the Turkish government as an honest participant in the fight against terrorism when they are the biggest backers of terrorism in the area,” he added.

He also noted there is “mounting anger” in Iraq not only against Turkey’s insistence in participating in the battle for Mosul but also against the United States which is putting pressure on Baghdad to allow Ankara to have a role in the operations.

However, he said, the Iraqi government has no choice but to refuse Washington’s request because there would be an “outcry” in the country if Turkey is rather allowed to participate in the battle.

Mosul, which is the second largest city in Iraq, fell into the hands of Daesh in the summer of 2014.

The Iraqi military, as well as various military groups in the country, including Shia, Sunni and Kurdish forces, are taking part in the military operation to retake the strategic city from the terrorists.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the commentator said the United States’ role in the battle for Mosul can be seen as a “facilitator” helping the terrorists escape from Iraq and move into Syria.

He also mentioned that the Americans seek to “redraw” the map of the Mosul and “divide” Nineveh Province in order to suit their purpose for the future which is the partition of Iraq.

Jawad said Turkey’s persistence in joining the battle for Mosul is to have a stake in the future of Iraq after its liberation from the Daesh terrorists.

He also argued Turkey along with Saudi Arabia is playing the sectarian card in Iraq in order to inflame tensions and to create an atmosphere where they could gain an advantage.

Gruesome violence has plagued the northern and western parts of Iraq ever since Daesh launched an offensive in the country in June 2014.

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