In a move that has enraged Iraqis, Iranians, Russians and Syrians, Turkey deployed a well-armed contingent of troops to northern Iraq. Some estimates put the Turkish numbers at approximately 150 soldiers and 24 tanks. Other sources put the number as high as 1,000 soldiers. The troops are currently stationed just northeast of the Islamic State “capital” of Mosul.

The Turks have defended the arrival of their troops in Iraq, stating that the act was for the purpose of training Peshmerga forces. Turkish Prime Minster Ahmet Davutoglu announced that the training began “with the knowledge of the Iraqi Defense Ministry and police.”

Upsetting Iraq

The move drew immediate condemnation from the Iraqi government. Baghdad gave 48 hours for the troops to leave. The deadline came and went. Ankara stopped sending more troops across the border, but also refused to withdraw those already stationed in Iraq.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi spoke with nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, urging him to help remove Turkey from its position in northern Iraq.

The Iraqis are upset, and it isn’t hard to see why. If the Turks are there to fight the Islamic State, they are doing so without permission, violating Iraqi territory. But even if the troops are just there to train this still upsets the Iraqis, and there is another big (Persian) reason why.

Upsetting Iran

Up until now Iraqi forces, be it Peshmerga or Iraqi troops, have been given a great deal of aid in the fight against the Islamic State. But it has not been Turkey or the United States doing most of the supporting. It has been Iran.

Iran has been deploying troops to Iraq for months, training and leading, arming and supervising. As such, the effectiveness of Shiite Iraqi militias has multiplied 10-fold. In the wake of such success against the Islamic State many Iraqis have grown to love the influence of Iran. Some militias and politicians are now voicing their support for Iran, emphasizing the growing military and political clout of Tehran within Iraq.

But now, all of a sudden, there is another force attempting to sway the battle in the north. Iran loves its unchallenged position in Iraq. As such it won’t take kindly to having to share its role as protector with the Turks. And if Iran is unhappy with Turkish training in the north, you can guarantee that the Iraqi government is unhappy too.

Upsetting Russia

But Iranian and Iraqi feathers are not the only ones being ruffled. The dispute between Russia and Turkey will only take a turn for the worse in light of Turkish activity in Iraq. The Kremlin is still upset that the Turks shot down a Russian jet over Syria. Furthermore, the Russians support Bashar Assad, putting them at direct odds with Turkey, which heavily supports the rebel groups.

After Turkey entered Iraq, the Russians called the move illegal and demanded closed-door discussions with the United Nations Security Council to address Turkish military action in Iraq and Syria.

But the time for talk may be about over.

The head of Iraq’s parliamentary committee on security and defense, Hakim al-Zamili, said on Sunday that Iraq “may soon ask Russia for direct military intervention in response to the Turkish invasion of Iraq sovereignty.” Zimili was arrested in 2007 by U.S. troops after allegedly sending millions of dollars to Shiite militants and running a rogue unit of the Mahdi Army, which claims loyalty to radical cleric Moktada al-Sadr.

There is little wonder then that his statement was matched by a number of Shiite militant groups that said that “Turkish interests in Iraq will now be a legitimate target because of Turkey’s assault on Iraqi territories.”

Turkey Helping the Islamic State?

Recent accusations have been squared against Turkey by the aforementioned parties. Iraq in particular has been extremely vocal in accusing the Turks of allowing the Islamic State to run its black-market oil through Turkey, thus keeping the terrorist group’s lifeblood pumping.

The accusations have only become louder now that the Turks are in northern Iraq. Some, primarily those opposing Turkey in Syria, have said that the Turks latest move is to protect the Islamic State smuggling routes running north from Mosul into southeastern Turkey.

Ready for War

Regardless of the ultimate motives behind Ankara’s move into Iraq, the stage is being set for large-scale confrontation.

We have seen conflict ongoing for years in both Syria and northern Iraq, first with Assad and the rebels, now with the Islamic State. But until recently, the war has been a proxy fight. The heavyweights like Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have supported their preferred factions from the outside. Nobody wants to get their hands dirty if they can avoid it. Now however we are seeing a far more radical and dangerous warfare building. The heavyweights are colliding. With the major powers getting closer and closer to one another, opportunity for direct contact and conflict increases. We have already seen Turkey purposefully shoot down a Russian jet. Now in Iraq we have Iranian and Iranian-backed forces coming in to close contact with Turkish troops. Iraq is threatening Russian involvement in driving the Turks out.

Dividing the Middle East

The stage is set for a major conflict between powers far stronger and more capable than the Islamic State, other rebel factions, or even Assad. We are seeing nations with nuclear capabilities coming head-to-head.

This involves all of us. What if, for instance, a war broke out between Russia and Turkey in the Middle East? Such a fight would draw in other players. Iran, Iraq, Europe, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states would be affected, and all would be participants on some level because all have objectives and plans for the Middle East.

As we watch the heavyweight nations disregarding the proxy war for more direct confrontation, we would do well to remember that such action has forecast by the Trumpet for two decades!

In his booklet The King of the South, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry discusses the exact prophecy that this confrontation is based upon. It is found in Daniel 11:40. Please read it there for yourself.

Mr. Flurry states:

The king of the south, or Iran, is going to “push at him”—that is, the king of the north (the European Union). Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon says the word push means “to strike—used of horned animals,” or “to push with the horn.” It is “used figuratively of a victor who prostrates the nations before him.” It also means to wage war. Push is a violent word! …The blatantly bold and aggressive foreign policy of Iran must lead to war. It will either conquer or be conquered.

We can see in Europe today that many are fed up with the scourge of radical Islam. Many are calling for a military solution. We can also see in Bible prophecy that Europe will enter an alliance with Turkey in the near future! (Read our article “A Mysterious Prophecy.”) Other powerful nations such as Saudi Arabia are also mentioned in this alliance.

If any of the aforementioned biblical names or nations are unfamiliar to you, feel free to read and request any of our literature—it is all free of charge. Booklets such as Germany and the Holy Roman Empire will help clarify these names and their roles in world events today.

The dividing line between major powers is being drawn before our eyes right now. Gray areas like Iraq and Syria are becoming black and white as outside powers pour more and more troops into the region.

Keep watching. With so many major powers in such close proximity, it won’t take much to ignite a major conflict in this region bristling with troops and armaments.