Turkey, Iraq To Deepen Security Cooperation in High-Level Talks
Senior officials from Turkey and Iraq are set to hold high-level discussions in Ankara on Thursday, focusing on enhancing security cooperation, according to a Turkish diplomatic source. The two nations have historically clashed over Turkey’s cross-border military actions targeting Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters based in northern Iraq. While Iraq views these operations as violations of its sovereignty, Turkey insists they are necessary for national security.
Relations between the two countries have improved since last year, following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Baghdad in April, where both sides agreed to elevate their cooperation. During this visit, a Joint Planning Group was established, headed by the foreign ministers of both countries. Thursday’s meeting marks the first session of this group.
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The discussions will center on implementing 27 agreements signed during Erdoğan’s visit and evaluating future joint initiatives. A key focus is the ongoing work to establish a joint operations center for the region, which Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler described as a “turning point” in counterterrorism efforts.
Güler also reiterated Turkey’s commitment to continuing its military operations in northern Iraq until the PKK is eliminated, urging Iraq to formally designate the PKK as a terrorist organization. The PKK, which has been engaged in an insurgency against Turkey since 1984, is already recognized as a terrorist group by Turkey, the US, and the European Union.
