Turkish and Iraqi Officials Discuss Border Security Measures in Northern Iraq

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: In a concerted effort to fortify regional security, Turkish and Iraqi officials convened on Sunday for a border security meeting in northern Iraq, as announced by the Turkish National Defence Ministry. The discussions, focused on the Türkiye-Iraq border line, primarily aimed at formulating measures to enhance the safety of Iraqi citizens, according to a statement released on Tuesday.

The closed-door meeting in Ankara on Monday brought together key Turkish leaders, including National Defence Minister Yasar Guler, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and the head of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Ibrahim Kalin. The discussions underscored the mutual commitment of Türkiye and Iraq to collaborative security efforts.

This strategic meeting follows President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent reaffirmation of Türkiye’s unwavering resolve in the fight against terrorism. President Erdogan emphasized the importance of regional actors respecting Türkiye’s security strategy to avoid potential tensions. He warned against any attempts to establish a ‘terroristan’ along Türkiye’s southern borders, asserting the nation’s readiness to counter such efforts with decisive measures.

The ongoing threat posed by the PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, was highlighted. The PKK’s Syrian offshoot, the YPG, often utilizes northern Iraq as a base for plotting cross-border attacks against Türkiye. In response, Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock in April 2022, targeting PKK hideouts in Iraq’s northern Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan regions near the Turkish border.

President Erdogan’s imminent visit to Iraq is anticipated to take place before the end of April, according to Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yildiz. The visit, marking President Erdogan’s return to Iraq since 2012 when he served as prime minister, aims to strengthen bilateral ties and explore avenues for cooperation.

Deputy Foreign Minister Yildiz, currently on a visit to Iraq, emphasized the significance of the Development Road Project. He highlighted that the project’s corridors and development paths serve as fundamental elements for economic vitality and connectivity between nations. Anticipating benefits that outweigh the associated costs, he expressed the eagerness of both countries to move forward with the project, fostering mutual trust and fostering economic growth. The deputy foreign minister further disclosed plans to hold ministerial meetings in the future, reinforcing the commitment to sustained diplomatic engagement between Türkiye and Iraq.