Turkey Has Not Halted Issuing Travel Visas to Iraqis
The Claim
Travel visas for Iraqis are no longer being issued by Turkey.
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Emerging story
Following the recent tensions between Turkey and Iraq, a claim that Turkey has stopped issuing visas to Iraqi citizens is circulating online.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be misleading. Turkey has not released a statement regarding the suspension of Iraqi visas. It was announced by the Turkish Visa Application Center in Iraq that its office would be closed due to the declaration of a national day of mourning by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi on Thursday, July 21, after a strike killed nine civilians in a Kurdish hill village. The center also stated that all reviewers with advanced appointments on Thursday, July 21, will be contacted and given new appointments.
Turkish Embassy in Baghdad Did Not Announce Suspending Visas for Iraqis
Furthermore, the suspension of issuing visas to Iraqi nationals by Turkey was not announced by the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad. The Embassy posted on Facebook:"Our condolences to our Iraqi brothers who were martyred by the PKK terrorist party."
20 July Attack in Duhok, Iraq
On July 20, nine civilians were killed by artillery fire in Iraq's Northern Duhok Province, including at least two children.
Iraqi Prime Minister Kadhemi has condemned Turkey, warning that Baghdad reserves the “right to retaliate,” and describing the artillery attack as a “flagrant violation” of sovereignty.
Protests at the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad
This claim emerged after hundreds of protesters demonstrated outside the Turkish visa office in Baghdad early Thursday in response to the attack on Iraqi civilians in Northern Dohuk Province.
Turkey Denied Claims by Iraq
In an interview with Turkish state broadcaster TRT Haber on Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the military had informed him that it was not responsible for the attack.
“Following this attack, which we believe the (PKK) terrorist organization carried out, we are ready to hold talks with Iraqi officials. We can cooperate for the curtain of fog to be lifted. Until that is lifted, it is not right to blame Turkey,” he added.
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