The Iraqi government is prepared to support Turkey in conducting a "major military operation" in northern Iraq against supporters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK, banned in Turkey), the Ash-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper writes, citing sources.
During a visit of a Turkish delegation to Baghdad, negotiations on this issue reportedly took place. The Iraqi authorities allegedly approved the creation of a 30-40 km wide buffer zone in the northern regions of the Kurdish autonomy, similar to the one the Turkish army wants to create in Syria in exchange for a deal on water and energy. The sources indicate that the context is about transforming the territories in Iraqi Kurdistan, where Turkey's military bases are located, into a "security belt" that would include all areas where PKK supporters are active. Baghdad has recognized the validity of Ankara's fears that the Kurds are capable of preventing the implementation of the Iraqi project "Development Path."
The Iraqi government has not yet officially commented on the publication. Turkish sources told the publication that over the past three months, the authorities of Turkey, Iraq, and the Kurdish autonomy have held consultations regarding the fighting expected to take place in the regions where Ankara has been conducting Operation Claw - Lock since 2022. The sides have reportedly already agreed on the details of the military campaign. The operation in northern Iraqi Kurdistan will be backed by the intelligence services of Iraq and the Kurdish autonomy. Baghdad and Erbil have also announced readiness to take action against PKK supporters in the provinces of Sulaymaniyah and Nineveh.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that Ankara and Baghdad decided to form several committees, including on counterterrorism, following the security meeting. The parties assume that the PKK poses a security threat to both countries. Turkey welcomed the decision of the Iraqi National Security Council to list the Kurdistan Workers' Party as a banned organization.
The meeting in Baghdad came amid sharp rhetoric from Ankara over the likelihood of a new cross-border military operation in northern Iraq. It is believed that the purpose of the operation will be to clear the northern regions of the republic of PKK militants at a depth of up to 40 kilometers.
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Photo: MohammadHuzam/Creative Commons 4.0
Based on materials from TASS