Sheikh Al-Khazali: Türkiye poses a real threat to Iraq, and the state must take a clear stance against its expansionist plans.

The General Secretary of the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, Sheikh Qais Khazali, warned on Thursday, of the escalating Turkish threat within Iraqi territory. He considered Ankara’s actions a prelude to a repeat of the “Syria series” in Iraq, in light of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ambitions to revive what is known as “Greater Turkey”.
In a televised interview, Sheikh Khazali said, “Turkey’s military presence in Nineveh, specifically at the Zlikan and Bashiqa bases, represents a direct threat,” recalling the experience of Cyprus since 1974, as well as Libya and Syria, where Turkey has not withdrawn from any of the areas it has entered but has expanded into them.
His Eminence added: “Turkey will not withdraw from Iraq even if the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is defeated and surrenders its weapons, because its ambitions are expansionist and overt. He pointed out that the “Greater Turkey Map” – circulated in the Turkish media – includes Kurdistan, a large part of Nineveh, Salah al-Din, and Kirkuk. He stressed that “Erdogan seeks to exploit the Alawite sect and the Kurdish component within Türkiye in order to amend the constitution and return to power once again”.
Regarding the internal security situation, Sheikh Khazali revealed the presence of “13,000 Iraqi fighters under foreign orders, including 5,000 in Nineveh and 8,000 in Kirkuk. Some of these fighters have been incorporated into the Popular Mobilization Forces under the pretext of containment, while others remain outside the state’s framework”.
His Eminence pointed out that “4,000 of these people are present near the Zelikan base, receiving salaries, weapons, and military uniforms from abroad, and their mission is to protect the base.” He considered that “it is unreasonable for someone to carry a PKC weapon without a license and walk around the street, so how can 4,000 people be allowed to work under the command of a foreign administration?
Sheikh Khazali asserted that “all security agencies—from Defense and Interior Intelligence to Popular Mobilization Forces Intelligence, National Security, Intelligence, and the Counter-Terrorism Service—have reports confirming Turkey’s links to and external support for these armed groups.” He noted that he presented these documents during his Eid sermon and sent them to relevant authorities and religious authorities.
His Eminence continued, saying: “I have raised this issue publicly and privately, and I have not received any response so far. I absolve myself before the people and before God.” He explained that “the so-called Nineveh Guard and Kirkuk Shield are not the whole problem, but rather the bigger problem lies in what are known as the tribal brigades extending from Nineveh to Anbar.” He added that “these brigades pose a great danger, as there is no information about them in any of the Popular Mobilization Directorates, and they are subject to a special administration within the authority under the direct supervision of one of the officials”.
Sheikh Khazali explained that some members of these brigades “were wanted on terrorism charges, and some were affiliated with ISIS and were trained at the al-Tanf base on the Iraqi-Syrian-Jordanian border.” He revealed that “the first-line leaders in these formations were Baathists and members of the former regime’s special security services”.
His Eminence explained, “The true, dedicated, and respected tribal brigade fought with us and is well-known. However, there are those who did not participate in any battle, and I challenge any party to prove their participation in the liberation of Nineveh, in the presence of Hadi al-Amiri and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis”.
Sheikh al-Khazaali pointed out that “the containment of some of these individuals should not have allowed them to remain in the same situation, especially since some of them continued to receive salaries from the Popular Mobilization Forces while being accused of terrorism.” He emphasized the need for these individuals to be subjected to scrutiny by the Accountability and Justice Commission, and for those wanted among them to be arrested. He called for those who tolerate or ignore this dangerous issue to be held accountable.
His Eminence emphasized that “the issue requires a firm national stance, because what is happening is a threat to all of Iraq, not just to a specific group, but to Kurds and Sunni Arabs alike.” He explained that “Erdogan presents himself with a sectarian image in order to deceive some, but he is acting in accordance with an expansionist Turkish nationalist agenda”.
His Eminence reiterated that Iraq does not need any external party, considering that all countries need Iraq, and whoever is confident in himself and proud of his patriotism will not accept being in a position of humiliation. He added: “We have relations with the Islamic Republic and consider it an ally, but we differ with it on some points, and we will take the same position against any country that tries to expand inside Iraq, including Iran if that happens,” stressing that “the files that affect the sovereignty of the state and the lives and dignity of our children are fixed principles that will not change”.