Publish Date: 3 January 2020 - 19:17

Ankara, Jan 3, IRNA – Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement on Friday said that the US terrorist operation which led to assassination of IRGC Quds Force Commander Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani will escalate insecurity in the region.

In its statement, Ankara expressed concern over the escalation of tensions between Iran and US, saying turning Iraq into a conflict zone will harm peace both in Iraq and the region.

It also emphasized the importance of preventing from foreign interventions and religious conflicts.

Turkish Foreign Ministry invited all parties to practice self-restraint and stressed the importance of preventing unilateral measures which endangers regional security and peace.

Ankara also underscored prioritizing use of diplomatic solutions.

The Commander of the IRGC Quds Force and Deputy Commander of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), known as the Hash al-Shaabi, Abu Mahdi Al-Mohandes were separately leaving Baghdad airport in two cars early Friday morning when they were targeted and assassinated.

Iraqi media said the US helicopters targeted both cars.

The IRGC confirmed the martyrdom of the great commander in a statement.

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