Turkish, Iraqi forces reach border crossing on Iraqi side
Iraqi forces expected to take control of Ibrahim Khalil border gate from KRG
SIRNAK, Turkey - Turkish tanks are seen along the Iraqi border near Habur border gate with northern Iraq on October 31, 2017, in Sirnak, Turkey.
SIRNAK, Turkey
Turkish and Iraqi military forces have reached the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing between Turkey’s southeastern province of Sirnak and northern Iraq, with Iraqi forces due to take control of the gate from the
The Erbil-based KRG is expected to hand over control of the gate on the Iraqi side of the border -- which faces the Habur gate, on the Turkish side -- in the coming hours, with the KRG flag at the crossing replaced by the flag of Iraq's central government.
Troops of both countries, who have been holding a joint military drill since mid-September, early on Tuesday advanced towards the Habur gate from the Turkish side along with tanks and armored
The twin gates have been closed to crossings from both sides since this morning due to the ongoing military drill.
The central government in Baghdad has sought to take control of the Ibrahim Khalil gate, which has been under the control of the KRG forces.
On Sept. 25, northern Iraq's KRG held an illegitimate referendum on independence for the region.
It was broadly opposed by the international community, including Turkey, as well as Baghdad, which pointed out that the poll was unconstitutional.
Reporting by Simal
