American Occupied Iraq seizes Turkish military aircraft for violating its airspace

Iraqi authorities have seized a Turkish military aircraft that violated the country's airspace. (File photo)

Iraqi authorities have seized a Turkish military aircraft that violated the country's airspace after it landed in the northern city of Mosul, Iraqi media reported.


There is no news on whether the aircraft was forced to land or made an emergency landing at Mosul airport on Friday, according to Iraq's Alsumaria news agency.

The aircraft was reportedly carrying an armored car that allegedly belongs to a high-ranking Iraqi official.

Earlier, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki accused his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan of interfering in his country's internal affairs, saying Turkey is becoming a “hostile state” in the region.

The Iraqi premier made the remarks in response to Erdogan accusing Maliki of taking an “egocentric approach” in politics.

Maliki also said the statements made by the Turkish premier “confirms that Mr. Erdogan is still living the illusion of regional hegemony.”

The latest tensions come in spite of Turkey’s position as one of Iraq’s top trade partners, with bilateral trade between the two neighbors valued at 12 billion dollars in 2011.