Iraqi and Peshmerga forces would protect the territorial integrity of Iraq and prevent it from being used as a base to attack other countries, Spokesman of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, Yahya Zubaidi, said.

“We hope Turkey respects the territorial integrity of Iraq. Iraqi land and its territorial integrity are protected by the forces of the joint operations and Iraqi military forces,” Voice of America quoted Zubaidi as saying.

“We do not want Iraq’s land to be used for terrorist acts against neighboring countries. We also respect Turkey’s and neighbors’ territorial integrity,” he added.

Regarding an Iraqi response to Turkish attacks on Qandil and Sinjar, Zubaidi said that the Joint Operations takes orders from the commander in chief of Iraqi Armed Forces, Haider al-Abadi.

Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Tuesday that Turkish troops would remain in northern Iraq until all militant groups are removed.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced operations against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Qandil and Sinjar on Monday.

The Turkish military has entered 30 kilometers into northern Iraq, according to Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

Turkish warplanes intermittently carry out airstrikes against suspected PKK positions in the Kurdistan Region.

Reporter’s code: 50101