Iraq hands protest note to Turkey's ambassador over 'Operation Claw-Lock'

Photo: AA/File

Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday (April 19) summoned Turkey's ambassador, Ali Rıza Güney, and handed him a letter of protest because of its new military offensive in the Kurdistan Regional Government territory, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported.

The "strongly worded" letter condemned Turkey's "continuous breaches and violations in northern Iraq," according to the report.

A day before, the ministry released a written statement condemning Turkey's new military offensive and calling for the immediate withdrawal of its forces.

Iraq's President Barham Salih also criticized the offensive, describing it as a "threat to our national security."

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In the early hours of April 18, Turkey's Ministry of Defense announced the start of the "Operation Claw-Lock" targeting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq's Kurdistan Region.

Latest in a series of operations into the region dubbed as the "Claw Operations" since May 2019, the offensive focuses on Metina, Zap and Avasin-Basyan areas, according to the ministry.

Two soldiers have so far lost their lives in the operation. (VK)