BAGHDAD -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki asked Turkey on Thursday to stop crossing the border to launch military operations targeting Kurdish rebels, saying it violates Iraqi sovereignty.

Mr. Maliki made his request during a visit to Baghdad by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who came to Iraq to sign agreements to boost economic ties in energy and other sectors, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said.

The...