Turkey has warned any of its citizens traveling in Iraq, excluding Kurdish provinces, to leave at once, citing security risks. The country’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling for any citizens in Iraq to leave immediately. It cites increased security risks, such as threats targeting Turkish businesses, as well as concerns over violence, abduction, and other attacks.
In addition, the statement warns any Turkish citizens currently residing in the Iraqi Kurdish region to avoid any area where anti-terror operations are being carried out against the Islamic State militant group. The statement comes amid rising tensions between Ankara and Baghdad. Last week, hundreds of Turkish troops and artillery units entered northern Iraq. Viewing the incident as a breach of sovereignty, the Iraqi government gave Turkey 48 hours to remove the military units.