The Turkish army said it launched a military exercise on Turkey-Iraq border on Sept 18 just a week before Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) is set to hold an independence referendum. 

The exercise will take place between Silopi and Habur provinces of Turkey where Habur border gate is also situated.

The Turkish army said the exercise is part of Turkey’s "anti-terror" fight operations being operated on Turkey-Iraq border region. 

The move came after Turkey harshened its opposition against KRG’s referendum bid. (DHA)