Turkey and Iraq have agreed on a significant memorandum of understanding regarding military, security, and counter-terrorism cooperation. According to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, this agreement was reached after two days of high-level security talks in Ankara.
The memorandum addresses long-standing tensions between the two countries, primarily regarding Turkey’s cross-border military operations against the PKK in northern Iraq. These operations have been criticized by Iraq as a violation of its sovereignty, but Turkey argues that they are necessary for its national security.
Relations between Ankara and Baghdad have improved since last year, especially after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Baghdad in April. This visit marked a new phase in their relationship, and the recent talks were part of an ongoing dialogue mechanism that culminated in this historic agreement.
The agreement includes plans for the establishment of a Joint Security Coordination Centre in Baghdad and a Joint Training and Cooperation Centre in Bashiqa. These centers are expected to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts.
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler described these steps as a turning point in relations and urged Iraq to officially designate the PKK as a terrorist organization, as it is already classified as such by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. The PKK has been involved in an insurgency against Turkey since 1984, resulting in over 40,000 deaths.
