Image Credits : Daily Sabah
Türkiye and Iraq are set to deepen their counterterrorism efforts as they convene for the fourth meeting of the Türkiye-Iraq High-Level Security Mechanism in Ankara. The conference, scheduled for Thursday, aims to bolster the partnership between the two nations in combating the PKK terrorist group, which has long been a destabilizing force in the region.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will preside over the meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein. This session marks the first gathering of the Joint Planning Group (JPG), a new initiative established to enhance bilateral security cooperation and solidify the legal framework for joint operations. The meeting represents a continuation of the momentum gained from previous discussions and aims to translate strategic agreements into concrete actions.
The two countries share a significant border, which the PKK has historically exploited to launch attacks on Turkey. The ongoing talks are expected to focus on Turkey’s efforts to eliminate the PKK’s presence in northern Iraq, particularly in the mountainous regions controlled by the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Despite Baghdad’s concerns about sovereignty violations, Ankara maintains that its cross-border operations are essential for national security.
The strategic partnership between Turkey and Iraq has evolved significantly since President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Iraq on April 22. During this visit, the two nations signed the Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA), which established the Joint Planning Group and various Joint Permanent Committees (JPCs) to institutionalize their cooperation. Preparatory meetings for the High-Level Security Mechanism and the JPG were held earlier this week, with Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz leading the discussions on security and counterterrorism.
A significant development in the Türkiye-Iraq relationship occurred in March 2024, when Iraq officially labelled the PKK a “banned organization” during the third round of security talks in Baghdad. This designation was welcomed by Ankara and was seen as a pivotal step in the joint efforts to combat terrorism in the region. Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler highlighted the importance of this move, stating that the recent actions taken by both countries marked a “turning point” in their counterterrorism strategy.
Looking ahead, both Turkey and Iraq are committed to continuing their collaboration until the threat of terrorism is entirely eradicated from the region. Güler emphasized that Türkiye expects Iraq to take further steps by formally recognizing the PKK as a terrorist organization. The establishment of a joint operations centre is also underway, signalling a long-term commitment to regional security and stability.