Iraq addresses Turkey’s security concerns by calling for a border security agreement
The agreement with Turkey aims to protect border regions and counter the attacks of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, similar to the security agreement with Iran
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani has called for enhancing security cooperation with Turkey by securing the borders through a security agreement similar to the one with Iran. This move comes amid escalating Turkish military action in Kurdistan in response to an attack carried out by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party near government facilities in Ankara. It also coincides with a visit by Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit Mohammed Al-Abbasi to meet with his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler.
The spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Yahya Rasoul, stated in a press release that “the Prime Minister presided over a meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security to discuss developments in the security situation in the country,” including the situation on the border with Turkey.
He explained that “Al-Sudani directed the Foreign Minister to communicate with his Turkish counterpart regarding the activation of bilateral security committees to address border security issues.”
Turkey’s military escalation in northern Iraq has raised concerns for the central government in Baghdad, which has repeatedly called on the Turkish side to respect Iraq‘s national sovereignty and has threatened to refer the matter to the United Nations Security Council to deter Turkish forces.
Turkish forces have been intensifying their attacks in the Kurdistan region, despite previous consecutive operations aimed at reducing the threat posed by Kurdish rebels. The Turkish army claims to have eliminated many leaders of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party.
Turkish air forces have destroyed 58 targets of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party in northern Iraq since the armed Kurdish group claimed responsibility for the recent attack.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that on Wednesday, they launched the third operation since the Sunday attack, targeting sites in Metina, Hakurk, Zap, Gara, and Asos, resulting in the “neutralization” of a number of party militants, which usually means their deaths.
However, Baghdad acknowledges Turkey’s concerns about Kurdistan Workers’ Party attacks, prompting Al-Sudani to discuss the security agreement issue with Turkey to alleviate Ankara’s concerns. The agreement is expected to be similar to the security agreement between Tehran and Baghdad, aimed at curbing the threat from Iranian Kurds.
Iran has succeeded in concluding a security agreement with Iraq to remove Kurdish opposition from the borders and end armed activities in the border strip, following Iranian attacks involving artillery and drones on those areas.
The security agreement with Iran was a focal point of Al-Sudani‘s meeting at the Ministerial Council for National Security. The spokesperson for the Iraqi forces stated, “The meeting discussed the joint security agreement between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding securing the borders between the two countries. This agreement was reached after an Iraqi delegation, headed by the National Security Adviser, visited Tehran. During the visit, full security coordination between Iraq and Iran was discussed, based on the principle of good neighborliness. The two parties have started implementing the agreement, which includes controlling the border strip by both countries and preventing armed activities along this strip.”
Iraq aims to address security issues along all its borders, especially with Turkey and Iran.
