According to a militia group spokesman, Turkish troops have already moved up to 25 miles into Iraqi territory as part of Operation Claw-Tiger, the broadcaster reported.

The militia considers the Turkish encroachment to be a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, the broadcaster said, citing the spokesman.

On Friday, the Turkish National Defense Ministry reported that one of the country’s soldiers died in clashes with PKK troops in northern Iraq. Additional Turkish special forces soldiers were deployed to the region on 21 June.

Iraqi Foreign Ministry has summoned Turkish ambassador Fatih Yildiz over violation of Iraq’s territory by Turkey’s forces on June 17.

The ministry has strongly condemned Turkish forces' violation of Iraqi territories on Wednesday, in a statement released by Iraq News Agency (INA) on Thursday.

The ministry noted that such measures are against the international charters and laws, urging Turkey to withdraw its forces from Iraq’s territory. It also pointed out that Iraq reserves the right to protest against such measures at international organizations.

Iraq had summoned Turkish ambassador two days ago over Turkish air force’s strikes in northern Iraq.

In another statement, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said that it has also summoned Iranian ambassador Iraj Masjedi over alleged “artillery attack” against regions in Erbil. The ministry has pointed to the historic ties between the two countries, calling for a halt to such measures and finding a joint approach for controlling security in joint borders.

Turkey has carried out airstrikes in the last three days and is conducting a rare ground that it says is waging against the PKK forces in the Kurdish region in the north of Iraq. The Turkish military has also deployed special forces in the region, after bombing dozens of areas with F-16 fighter jets, against what it called the presence of the PKK forces in the Kurdish region.

The United States, a Turkey ally, which has also military bases in Kurdistan Region, has reacted to the new Turkish attacks in the region.

An unnamed U.S. State Department official told The National Interest magazine that the United States wants Ankara to respect the sovereignty of Iraq as a neighbor; but at the same time, the U.S. recognizes Turkey's legitimate security concerns.

Reporter’s code: 50101