Erdogan says IS attack on Iraqi military base justifies Turkish deployment

The attack by Islamic State (IS) militants on Turkey's military camp in northern Iraq justified Ankara's decision to deploy troops there, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said here on Friday.

Eighteen militants were killed when they launched an attack on Bashiqa camp earlier in the day, while no Turkish soldiers were harmed.

"This justifies how accurate was Turkey's decision on deploying troops there," Erdogan told reporters following a prayer.

This was the third IS attack on Bashiqa camp since December.

"Our military personnel are now ready for any threat," Erdogan said, adding that Turkey does everything in Iraq in line with the international law.

He stressed that the Iraqi government itself asked for Turkey's help to train its soldiers.

"But we started to face with some problems after the quartet of Russia, Iran, Iraq and Syria opened an office in Baghdad," the president said.

Turkey has refused to join the group aiming at counterterrorism.

Turkey sent some 150 troops in early December to Bashiqa camp, sparking an outrage from Baghdad and straining bilateral ties.

Turkey has refused to withdraw its troops despite pressure from all sides.

Erdogan also blamed Russia over its airstrikes on Turkmen villages in Syria, urging the U.S.-led coalition forces to stop Moscow's intervention in Syria.

Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane on Nov. 24 has chilled bilateral relationship. Endit