Iraq has protested the presence of Turkish troops on Iraqi territory near the city of Mosul. Turkish troops have frequently entered Iraqi territory in the past in pursuit of Kurdish forces, but this time the intent seems to be different even though Turkish forces have in fact been bombing Kurdish positions in northern Iraq. According to the Turkish newspaper, Hürriyet:
“The deal regarding the base was signed between Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani and Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioğlu, during the latter’s visit to northern Iraq on Nov. 4.”
The idea that Turkey is training Kurdish forces in Iraq is difficult to understand: Turkey has made it very clear that it fears Kurdish demands for an independent state. Why would it train Kurdish fighters?
Russia believes that the Turkish base is being used to transport Iraqi oil to Turkey as a money making scheme, and is, in the process, enriching Daesh (the Islamic State). Russia has accused Turkey, and, more specifically, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, of profiting from the smuggled oil.
Russian map of alleged oil smuggling routes
Not surprisingly, Turkey has firmly denied the charges, and the US has indicated its full faith in its NATO partner, Turkey. But the charge is a mind-boggling case of realpolitik: Turkey bombs some Kurds, but works with other Kurds, and gives money to Daesh while at the same time bombing them. Unfortunately, since the charges come from Russia few in the Western press are taking the accusations seriously. They deserve to be investigated fully.
World Politics News 
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