Foreign bases not welcome in Iraq: Security official

By Idris Okuducu

ISTANBUL

Iraq objects to the presence of foreign military bases on its territory, Iraqi National Security Advisor Falih al-Fayyadh said Wednesday.

“We will not accept any foreign military bases -- or foreign ground forces -- in Iraq,” al-Fayyadh said in a statement.

He added, however, that exceptions could be made for advisors and instructors working under the framework of a U.S.-led coalition against the Daesh terrorist group.

“The U.S.-led coalition came at Baghdad’s request,” al-Fayyadh said.

The coalition, he added, “provides our forces with logistics and training within the context of the ongoing fight against Daesh”.

At a press conference in Baghdad held one day earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Adil al-Mahdi said there were no foreign military bases operating in Iraq except those affiliated with the U.S.-led coalition.