Türkiye Seeks Tripartite Cooperation with Baghdad and Erbil Against PKK

Türkiye Seeks Tripartite Cooperation with Baghdad and Erbil Against PKK.
Türkiye Seeks Tripartite Cooperation with Baghdad and Erbil Against PKK.
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Türkiye Seeks Tripartite Cooperation with Baghdad and Erbil Against PKK

Türkiye Seeks Tripartite Cooperation with Baghdad and Erbil Against PKK.
Türkiye Seeks Tripartite Cooperation with Baghdad and Erbil Against PKK.

Türkiye is intensifying efforts to bolster intelligence and security cooperation with Iraq, aiming to tighten control over the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its supporters in northern Iraq. The initiative involves the exploration of a tripartite cooperation mechanism between Ankara, Baghdad, and Erbil.
Head of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Ibrahim Kalin held two rounds of talks with officials in Baghdad and Erbil during two visits to Iraq in less than a week.
During his visit last week, Kalin met with Iraqi President Abdullatif Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, Shiite and Sunni groups, and Turkmen representatives.
On Sunday, Kalin met with Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Chair Masoud Barzani, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, Interior Minister Reber Ahmed, and local administrators, as well as Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC) head Hasan Turan and ITC Kirkuk Deputy Ersat Salihi.
Cooperation against the PKK
The officials delved into pressing regional developments, fostering ties between Ankara, Baghdad, and Erbil and enhancing cooperation in the ongoing fight against terrorism. Turkish sources have indicated a shared recognition of the PKK as a common threat to both Türkiye and Iraq.
The Turkish Air Force carried out targeted airstrikes in northern Iraq and Syria, responding to two separate PKK attacks that claimed the lives of 12 Turkish soldiers on December 23 and an additional nine soldiers on January 12.
Ankara issued a warning regarding potential collaboration between the PKK and the Democratic Union Party (PYD), hinting at the contemplation of new measures to counteract such alliances.
Linking security to the economy
In recent strategic maneuvers, Türkiye has shifted its focus to interlinking economic and security cooperation with the pivotal water issue.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Defense Minister Thabet Al-Abbasi held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Ibrahim Kalin on Dec. 19.
National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji, Head of the Popular Mobilization Forces Faleh Al-Fayyad, and the Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Rebar Ahmed, accompanied Hussein.
The meeting resulted in a roadmap to boost bilateral cooperation.
Discussions tackled water and security files and the resumption of oil exports from Iraq through Türkiye.
The two sides highlighted cooperation in the fight against terrorism and efforts to stop the activity of the PKK in northern Iraq.
Turkish military presence
Over the past five years, Türkiye has executed a series of military operations, collectively known as the "Claw-Lock" in northern Iraq. Anchored in a novel security concept, the operations aim at eradicating terrorism at its source.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently declared that, by the upcoming spring, Türkiye will finalize the infrastructure for newly established bases in northern Iraq, rendering the region inaccessible to terrorists.



Sisi: Electricity Interconnection Projects with Saudi Arabia a Model for Regional Cooperation

Sisi met with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawy. (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi met with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawy. (Egyptian Presidency)
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Sisi: Electricity Interconnection Projects with Saudi Arabia a Model for Regional Cooperation

Sisi met with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawy. (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi met with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawy. (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi affirmed that the electrical interconnection project with Saudi Arabia represents a model of regional energy cooperation and a benchmark for future similar ventures in electrical connectivity, directing close monitoring of all project details.
Sisi made these remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawy.
According to a statement by the Egyptian presidency on Sunday, the discussion reviewed the status of electrical interconnection projects between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing their importance in enhancing grid efficiency and stability while optimizing the use of generation capacity during peak demand periods.
Cairo and Riyadh signed an agreement in 2012 to establish the electrical interconnection project at a cost of $1.8 billion, with Egypt contributing $600 million (1 USD = 49.65 EGP in local banks). In a government meeting in mid-October, Madbouly announced that the interconnection line is expected to become operational in May or June of next year, with an initial capacity of 1,500 megawatts.
This initiative is the first of its kind to enable high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power exchange in the Middle East and North Africa region. It connects Badr City in Egypt to Medina via Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Late last month, Madbouly highlighted that the project, set to produce 3,000 megawatts in two phases, is a landmark achievement for Egypt’s energy sector.
Presidential spokesperson Mohamed al-Shenawy stated that the meeting also highlighted the progress on the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. The project is seen as vital to Egypt’s comprehensive development strategy, which aims to diversify energy sources through renewable and alternative means, improving service delivery to citizens.
Located in northern Egypt, the Dabaa plant will consist of four nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 4,800 megawatts (1,200 megawatts per reactor). The first reactor is expected to be operational by 2028, with the others coming online sequentially. The Egyptian government has pledged to fulfill its commitments to ensure the project meets its scheduled timeline.
The president also directed the government to intensify efforts to attract investments in the energy sector, develop the management of the national gas grid, and ensure stable energy supplies for both electricity and industrial sectors. Furthermore, he urged rapid progress on renewable energy projects to diversify energy sources, expand grid capacity, and modernize the network using advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce losses.