(VOVworld) - The Arab League accused Turkey Thursday of violating international law and Iraq's sovereignty with a military deployment earlier this month that has provoked tensions between Baghdad and Ankara.

Secretary-General of the AL Nabil al-Araby attends a summit in Riyadh in this Nov. 11 photo. (Photo: Reuters)

Nabil al-Araby, the head of the Arab League, told a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo that the Turkish incursion into Iraq constitutes a glaring infringement of international law and breaches Iraq's sovereignty.

The statement was made last as week Turkey announced the withdrawal of its troops from Iraq’s northern region due to continued pressure by Iraq and US allies.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said Ankara’s decision is in the right direction adding that Iraq will appeal to the UN Security Council and the Arab League until the withdrawal is completed.

Also on Thursday, the Iraqi Intelligence Service said it detained 40 members of IS as part of a major operation in Baghdad and Diyala province.