Iraq quietly delivered a diplomatic note to Türkiye's Foreign Ministry calling for the withdrawal of Turkish troops stationed in northern Iraq, according to Sabah columnist Asli Aydintasbas. The note was submitted by the Iraqi envoy to Türkiye's Special Representative in Iraq, Oguz Celikkol.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice intervened, and Baghdad withdrew the note within 48 hours. Washington conveyed its position to Iraqi officials both in Baghdad and in the U.S. capital, making clear it did not support the demand. Rice reinforced that message during a visit to Baghdad that came shortly after her stop in Ankara.
Aydintasbas reported that Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani was among the principal backers of the demand, driven by concern over a possible cross-border military operation. Türkiye has maintained roughly 1,500 special forces, liaison officers, and other troops in northern Iraq since 1996.
After withdrawing the note, Iraq offered a procedural explanation: Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari had been abroad when it was filed, and the official who signed the document lacked the authority to do so, rendering it invalid.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in May 2006, in its own words.