Since the deployment of Turkish soldiers and battle tanks in Iraq near the Islamic State (Isis)-held city of Mosul, reports are doing the rounds that the Iraqi government may consider cancelling its security deal with the US and instead invite Russia to fight Isis.
According to an Iraqi lawmaker, the parliament's Security and Defence Committee has called for a review of Baghdad's security agreement with the US.
"The government and parliament needs to review the agreement signed with the United States on security because the United States does not seriously care about its fulfilment," committee member Hamid al-Mutlaq, a senior Sunni lawmaker, told Sputnik.
The call for review in part reflects the longstanding distrust among the Iraqis. According to Zerohedge, "the Americans are still seen as occupiers, and Washington's unwillingness inability to effectively counter [Isis] has created a culture of suspicion in which most Iraqis believe the US is in cahoots with the militants for what WaPo described as 'a variety of pernicious reasons that have to do with asserting US control over Iraq, the wider Middle East and, perhaps, its oil'."
Iraq has another reason for being miffed as the US, despite being a close ally, has decided to take a neutral stand on the issue of Turkey sending its army inside the Iraqi territory.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has now filed a formal complaint with the UN Security Council over the continued presence of the Turkish army. Meanwhile, Turkey has said it will not bow to Iraq's demand.
At least 150 soldiers and 20-25 tanks were deployed by Turkey in Bashiqa region of Mosul on 5 December.
Russia in the meantime has come out in support of Iraq and has openly pledged its support. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted by RIA news agency as saying on Friday that Iraq is an "extremely important partner" of Russia in the fight against terrorism.
Back in October, Baghdad had said Russia may carry out air strikes against Isis from its airbase in Al Taqaddum.
