Türkiye reiterated its unwavering commitment to safeguarding its national security, affirming its readiness to take decisive measures against any Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) attempts to destabilize the region, mainly emanating from northern Iraq.
Ankara further highlighted the recent progress made through ongoing consultations with Baghdad and Erbil.
"We see good developments in terms of steps both by the central administration in Baghdad and northern Iraq," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
"We are ready to take joint steps with our neighbors as long as they do not tolerate the establishment of a 'terroristan' on our border," the president added.
Cooperation with Baghdad, Erbil
In statements to the press on Thursday, Erdogan said that no one will show the level of respect for the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria that Türkiye will demonstrate.
“We have achieved progress with the Erbil administration in fighting terrorism. However, despite numerous warnings, the Sulaymaniyah, namely the PUK administration (in northern Iraq), unfortunately, continues to embrace the terrorist organization,” Erdogan said during his return flight from Egypt.
“No one should expect a different stance from us. We will provide the necessary response. We cannot overlook this matter,” he said.
A series of visits to Iraq by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and the head of the National Intelligence Service Ibrahim Kalin “effectively softened the prevailing tensions caused by adverse developments in Iraq,” Erdogan said.
Intensive Communication
Ankara, Baghdad, and Erbil have intensified communication efforts in recent weeks, with a specific focus on countering the PKK activities, severing its support networks, and implementing border control measures along the Iraqi frontiers with Türkiye and Syria.
Turkish sources, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, disclosed that these recent initiatives aim to underscore that the PKK's menace extends beyond Türkiye’s borders, encompassing Iraq as well, prompting Ankara's readiness to extend assistance in combating these shared security challenges.
The sources outlined three key Turkish demands: first, for the central government in Baghdad to assert control over its designated territories; second, for stringent measures to be implemented along the Iraqi-Syrian border zones; and third, for decisive actions to curb the activities of PKK elements, alongside measures to halt support channels, particularly those linked to the Democratic Union Party (PYD), headed by Bafel Talabani in Sulaymaniyah.
Diplomatic and security deliberations on the matter started with a high-level meeting involving foreign and defense ministers and intelligence chiefs from both nations convened in Ankara on December 19.
This was followed by the visit of Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin to Baghdad and Erbil on January 23 and 28, respectively. Subsequently, the Minister of Defense, accompanied by the Chief of Staff, embarked on a diplomatic mission on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Throughout these deliberations, Ankara reiterated its call for "tangible cooperation against terrorism" from the Baghdad government and the Erbil administration. Also, Ankara cautioned that should this cooperation not materialize, further actions targeting Sulaymaniyah could be pursued following the cessation of Turkish Airlines flights to and from the region.
Warnings to Sulaymaniyah
Ankara has recently expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation demonstrated by Baghdad and Erbil, acknowledging their recognition of the PKK’s threat to Iraq. However, Ankara views Sulaymaniyah as a focal point of tension, attributing this perception to allegations of support provided by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to the PKK.
