Turkey and Iraq have a long history of diplomatic relations, and in recent years, the two neighbors have made significant strides in addressing the security threat posed by the PKK terrorist group. Ankara and Baghdad have come a long way in acknowledging the danger of this terrorist organization and have taken steps to combat it together. However, with the recent developments, Turkey expects Iraq to take further action to ensure the safety and security of both nations.
The PKK, or the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, is a designated terrorist group by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. It has been waging a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish government, seeking an independent Kurdish state. The group has been responsible for numerous attacks, including bombings, kidnappings, and assassinations, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. The PKK has also been using Iraq’s northern regions as a base for its operations, posing a significant security threat to both Turkey and Iraq.
In the past, Iraq had been hesitant to take action against the PKK, citing its fragile security situation and the lack of control over its northern regions. However, in recent years, the Iraqi government has shown a willingness to address this issue and work closely with Turkey to combat the PKK. In 2019, Turkey and Iraq signed a Memorandum of Understanding on security cooperation, which included joint efforts to combat terrorism and cross-border operations against the PKK.
Since then, there have been several joint military operations between Turkey and Iraq, targeting PKK bases and hideouts in northern Iraq. These operations have been successful in weakening the PKK’s presence in the region and disrupting their activities. The two nations have also increased intelligence sharing and coordination to prevent future attacks by the PKK.
However, despite these efforts, the PKK remains a significant threat to both Turkey and Iraq. The recent increase in PKK attacks in Turkey, including a deadly car bomb attack in the city of Diyarbakir, has raised concerns about the group’s capabilities and intentions. Turkey has repeatedly called on Iraq to take concrete steps to eliminate the PKK’s presence in its territory and prevent them from using it as a safe haven.
In response to Turkey’s calls, Iraq has taken some measures to address the PKK threat. The Iraqi government has pledged to increase security in the northern regions and has launched several military operations against the PKK. It has also arrested and deported several PKK members to Turkey, showing its commitment to fighting terrorism.
However, Turkey believes that more needs to be done to eliminate the PKK threat completely. Ankara expects Baghdad to take further steps, such as dismantling PKK camps and arresting its leaders, to ensure the safety and security of both nations. Turkey has also urged Iraq to cut off the PKK’s financial resources and prevent them from recruiting new members in its territory.
Moreover, Turkey has also stressed the importance of international cooperation in the fight against the PKK. The PKK is not only a threat to Turkey and Iraq but also to the stability and security of the entire region. Therefore, Turkey expects the international community, especially the United States, to support its efforts in combating the PKK and to put pressure on Iraq to take more decisive action against the group.
In conclusion, Turkey and Iraq have made significant progress in addressing the security risk posed by the PKK terrorist group. The two nations have come a long way in acknowledging the threat and working together to combat it. However, with the recent increase in PKK attacks, Turkey expects Iraq to take further steps to eliminate the group’s presence in its territory and prevent it from using Iraq as a base for its operations. International cooperation and support are also crucial in this fight against terrorism, and Turkey hopes that the international community will join forces to eradicate the PKK threat once and for all.
