Iraq reports 398 border violations by Turkey to the UN

The diplomatic dispute between Iraq and Turkey over territorial and airspace incursions has reached the United Nations. In a letter dated September 16, 2026, Iraq’s Permanent Representative to the UN formally documented 398 violations of Iraqi sovereignty that occurred between May 1 and August 31, 2026. According to the data provided, the breakdown of these incidents includes 161 in May, 154 in June, 61 in July, and 22 in August. Baghdad has formally protested these actions, characterizing them as a violation of international law and the principles of good neighborly relations established by the UN Charter.

In response, the Turkish government rejected the allegations in a letter dated September 28. Ankara maintains that its military operations within Iraqi territory are necessary to counter terrorism, explicitly citing the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. While Iraq insists that these recurring military maneuvers infringe upon its national sovereignty, Turkey continues to justify its presence as a security measure against perceived threats. No further actions or court proceedings have been formally scheduled at this time, though the situation remains a point of contention between the two nations within the international body.