"Going into northern Iraq is not an objective for us. Entering northern Iraq will not be on the agenda as long as Iraq's territorial integrity is preserved and there is no move aimed at seizing the oil of Mosul and Kirkuk," Erdogan told reporters.

In cooperation with US troops, the forces of the two main Kurdish factions in northern Iraq have recently adavanced towards the two towns, on which they have historical claims.

Turkey fears that control of local oil resources could embolden Iraqi Kurds to move towards independence, a prospect that could set an example to their Turkish cousins.

SPACE.WIRE