Iraq’s Abadi pledges support for Ankara over US rift
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi pledged support to Turkey in its rift with the United States over the detention of an American pastor, saying that it would support Ankara’s attempts to prevent the slide of its currency.
Washington imposed sanctions on two Turkish ministers and increased tariffs in a move that has led to a sharp decline in value of the Turkish lira in recent weeks.
The sanctions came in response to Turkey’s continued detention of US pastor Andrew Brunson for his alleged links to the mastermind of the failed military coup in July 2016.
The Iraqi leader said that he supported Turkey in its battle to stop the decline of the currency. Turkey has fought back against the moves by US President Donald Trump in the deepest rift between the Nato allies in recent years.
“Iraq stands with Turkey on the Turkish currency issue. We will support Turkey in all measures it takes in this regard,” Mr Abadi said.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Mr Abadi said that Baghdad would protect Turkish efforts to control its borders.
Mr Abadi also pledged to cooperate with Turkey against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, the Kurdish group outlawed in Turkey that has waged a decades-long insurgency against the government.
“We share the same views on border security. We are against any group using Iraqi territories to attack Turkey and other neighboring countries,” the Iraqi leader said.
Iraq has provided a base for Kurdish militants who have crossed into Turkey to launch attacks against security forces. Turkey has conducted air strikes against PKK militants in Iraq.
“For us, there is no difference between the villains of Daesh and PKK murderers. They are both heinous organisations that do not even hesitate to kill babies,” Mr Erdogan said.
The pair also discussed plans for Turkey to reopen its consulates in the southern oilrich Iraqi city of Basra and the northern city of Mosul, which was liberated from ISIS control last year. They also said they would strengthen bilateral ties in all areas, including water and energy.