Political figures including Iraqi President Barham Salih and Shiite leader Muktada al-Sadr have spoken out against the most recent Turkish offensive in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

AL-HAKIM: TURKISH ATTACK IS UNACCEPTABLE

Shiite leader Ammar Al-Hakim, one of the most influential clerics in Iraq and the Shiite world, condemned the recent attacks of the Turkish state, defining them as “unacceptable”.

“The aerial attack of the Turkish army against Iraqi Kurdistan is unacceptable. At a time when we urge the Iraqi government to protect the borders and to prevent any country from using Iraqi territory for its attacks, these countries have to respect Iraq's sovereignty,” Al-Hakim wrote on his Twitter account.

IBADI: 'SUSPICIOUS SILENCE'

The former Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi, also condemned the Turkish invasion attacks in a statement on his Twitter account.

“Turkey's continuous violation of Iraqi sovereignty is a serious matter and worsens bilateral relations.”

“We are surprised by the suspicious silence about these abuses, which raises concerns over the responsibility of the state and political forces to protect the country and its sovereignty.”

We recommend Turkey to reconsider its policies concerning Iraq.” al-Abadi wrote.

MIHEMED: THEIR GOAL IS TO REACH MOSUL

The former President of the Kurdistan Region’s Parliament, Dr. Yusuf Mihemed, spoke to RojNews and stated, “The Turkish attacks are not new; their aim is to reach and take control of Mosul province, which was once under Ottoman rule. They want to cede the region to Turkey. They believe that they can get rid of the Treaty of Lausanne after a hundred years. Their goals are long-term. Under the current circumstances, Turkey thinks that it can legitimate its own invasion if the Russian invasion of Ukraine is successful."

Mihemed pointed out that Turkey's cooperation with the KDP and particularly the Barzani family goes a long way back. “We see this cooperation not only in the attacks against South Kurdistan, but also against Rojava. If you remember, Massoud Barzani was in Istanbul the night before when Turkey attacked Jarablus to prevent the unification of the Kobanê and Afrin cantons. There is a coordination between the Turkish army, Turkish intelligence service MIT and the Kurdistan Region Administration,” he said.

“These attacks should be condemned. In order to respond to these attacks, Iraq needs international support. The current situation poses a danger for the future. Measures should be taken immediately beforehand. If Turkey is successful in these attacks, it will further expand its occupation,” Mihemed warned.

KOMALEYA: HEWLÊR PAVES THE WAY FOR INVASION

In a press conference, Ebdulstar Mecid, head of the Komaleya Dadgeri Faction, criticised the government of the Kurdistan Region for paving the way for the invasion of the Turkish state.

“If the Kurdistan Region government does not allow it, the Turkish state cannot cross the border in any way. If the government does not give permission, Turkey cannot arrest the citizens, bomb and kill them,” Mecid said.