Turkey Agrees to Respect Iraqi Sovereignty

29 May 1941 - Following disputes over territory located in and around Mosul, German representatives have brokered the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Northern Iraq.

Following the Battle of Dunkirk in May 1939, Pro-Axis Iraqi nationalist forces began pressing for the removal of British forces from their kingdom leading to brief skirmishes and the threat of all out warfare between both nations. Things would only worsen after British forces fired on Iraqi civilians 3 June 1939. Prime Minister al-Gaylani began to mobilize Iraqi forces shortly afterwards. Turkey entered Northern Iraq one week later, their stated motive being to stabilize the region and to protect the Mosul oil fields. Rather than securing the region, Turkey's presence only served to further inflame hostilities, most especially among Armenians who became infamous for their guerilla campaign against the "invaders".

Following UK Prime Minister Wood signing a treaty promising the closure of all British bases and the withdrawal of British forces by early 1940, undeclared war has existed between Turkey and Iraq. Turkey has refused to retreat after what they state are repeated incursions and violations of their territorial sovereignty by Armenian guerillas which have resulted in the deaths of innocent Turkish civilians and the destruction of Turkish property. Iraqi representatives have gone on record replying that such incursions were provoked and not cause to occupy their northern provinces.

Turkish forces have been hesitant to press further into hostile Iraqi territory while Iraqi military forces have proven to weak to expel them leading to a bloody stalemate with rumors of atrocities on both sides.

Despite the threat to the region, international attention had been diverted by the German invasion of the Soviet Union and Japanese actions in Asia. This would change after all out warfare between Turkey and Iraq was declared following the igniting of various oil wells in the region by suspected guerillas.

In December 1940, Hitler assigned Foreign Minister Ribbentrop to mediate a solution. Many claim Germany's intervention was largely self-serving. Critics point out a treaty signed between Germany and Iraq giving the Reich priority in trade and allowing Wermacht and Luftwaffe forces to be stationed in the region.

Turkish forces are expected to withdraw over the next sixty days.

SOURCE: Washington Post