Iraqi leader resists US push for Turkish role in Mosul fight
BAGHDAD -- U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter's push for Iraq to let Turkey play a role in the battle to retake Mosul from the ISIS encountered stiff resistance Saturday from Iraq's prime's minister, who said his country's forces will oust the militants from the northern city.
"I know that the Turks want to participate, we tell them thank you, this is something the Iraqis will handle and the Iraqis will liberate Mosul and the rest of the territories," Haider al-Abadi said through a translator after meeting with the Pentagon chief.
Iraqi, Kurdish and other local forces will handle the battle for Mosul, al-Abadi said.
"We don't have any problems," he said, adding that if help is needed, "we will ask for it from Turkey or from other regional countries."
