A diplomatic dispute between Iraq and Turkey over Turkish military activity on Iraqi territory and in Iraqi airspace has reached the United Nations, with Baghdad reporting 398 alleged violations over a four-month period and Ankara defending its actions as legitimate self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
In a letter dated 16 September to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the president of the Security Council, Iraq's permanent representative to the United Nations submitted a record of 398 alleged Turkish violations of Iraqi territory and airspace between 1 May and 31 August, 2026.
According to the Iraqi document, Baghdad recorded 161 violations in May, 154 in June, 61 in July and 22 in August, and lodged a series of formal protests over the incidents.
The Iraqi government argues that the actions constitute a violation of the country's sovereignty.
According to the letter, the Turkish actions "contravene the principles of good neighbourliness and constitute a violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law".
In a formal response dated 28 September, Turkey's permanent representative to the United Nations rejected the Iraqi allegations, arguing that, "due to the vacuum of authority, which is exploited by terrorist organisations", Turkey "is obliged and entitled to take appropriate measures against terrorist threats to its security originating from Iraq".
Ankara also invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter, arguing that it is exercising its "inherent right of self-defence" and acting in accordance with responsibilities assigned to member states under Security Council resolutions on combating terrorism.
In its letter, Turkey described as "unacceptable" any criticism directed at it for exercising that right.
Source: CNA
