Iran Gives Green Light To Turkey-Iraq Plans To Eradicate PKK In Iraq

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed recent talks between Turkey and an official Iraqi institution funded by Baghdad, focusing on Sinjar, where the group has gained ground.

The news reflects Turkey's increasing involvement in Iraq, seeking to forge broader relations to quell longstanding tensions along its southern border, with the recent meeting held between the Turkish and Iraqi foreign ministers in Baghdad on March 13. Security officials, including PMF leader Faleh al-Fayyad and National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji, were present.

Turkey expressed support for the formation of a 40-kilometer deep buffer zone aimed at eradicating the PKK, deemed a terrorist entity, stretching from Sulaymaniyah to the Syrian border via Sinjar.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to travel to Baghdad in April. He is set to sign an agreement for the establishment of a joint operations command center and a buffer zone, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.

Meanwhile, Iraqi sources told the publication that with the presence of the PMF at the meetings, it signals Tehran's support for the Turks to act in Iraq.

According to the sources, Turkey's military plan calls for a broad operation in mountainous regions in the Kurdistan Region, while Baghdad provides intelligence support, maps and information and monitors the border.

Sulaymaniyah and Sinjar, however, lie on the outskirts of the Turkish buffer zone and intersect with Iranian interests, demanding that Ankara take different political and security arrangements over them.