Turkey and Iraq have embarked on a new chapter in their relationship with the signing of a landmark security and military cooperation agreement, aimed squarely at countering the longstanding threat posed by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Announced by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan following two days of high-level security talks in Ankara, the agreement signifies a major shift in how both nations will address terrorism and regional security issues moving forward.
This memorandum of understanding (MoU) is a significant milestone, setting the stage for intensified collaboration between the two neighbors. It outlines plans to establish joint command and training centers, which will enhance the operational synergy between Turkish and Iraqi forces. These centers are expected to play a crucial role in the fight against the PKK, a group that has waged a violent insurgency against Türkiye since 1984, resulting in over 40,000 deaths. The PKK, labeled a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has long used northern Iraq as a base for launching attacks into Turkish territory.
Fidan highlighted the transformative potential of the MoU, emphasizing that it would elevate cooperation between Ankara and Baghdad to unprecedented levels. “This agreement will enable us to take concrete steps in our counterterrorism efforts,” Fidan stated, pointing to the creation of the joint command and training centers as a key component of this enhanced partnership. His Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, echoed this commitment, stressing that the presence of PKK forces in northern Iraq is not just a regional problem but a national threat to Iraq as a whole.
A critical aspect of the agreement is Iraq’s decision to formally ban the PKK, a move that Türkiye has long advocated. By adding the PKK to its list of banned organizations, Iraq signals its growing recognition of the group’s destabilizing influence and its commitment to addressing this threat head-on. This development marks a significant shift in Iraq’s approach to the PKK and aligns its policy more closely with that of Türkiye.
The MoU arrives at a pivotal moment in Turkish-Iraqi relations, which have often been strained due to Türkiye’s military actions against the PKK in northern Iraq. These operations, including the recent Operation Claw-Lock launched in April 2022, have been a point of contention, with Baghdad frequently condemning them as breaches of Iraqi sovereignty. However, Ankara has maintained that such operations are essential for protecting its national security. Despite these tensions, recent diplomatic efforts have paved the way for renewed dialogue and cooperation.
In April 2024, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a significant visit to Baghdad, his first in over a decade, signaling a thaw in relations and a mutual desire to address shared security concerns. The visit laid the groundwork for the high-level talks that culminated in this week’s MoU, which both sides have hailed as a historic turning point.
The agreement’s provisions include the establishment of a Joint Security Coordination Centre in Baghdad and a Joint Training and Cooperation Centre in Bashiqa, near Mosul. These facilities will serve as hubs for collaboration, enabling Turkish and Iraqi forces to coordinate their efforts more effectively in combating the PKK and other militant groups. Additionally, the MoU sets up permanent committees to oversee cooperation in various sectors, including trade, energy, and water management—areas that have often been sources of tension between the two countries.
Water, in particular, has been a contentious issue, as the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which are vital to Iraq, originate in Türkiye. By including water management in the scope of the MoU, both nations acknowledge the need for a cooperative approach to this critical resource, recognizing its importance to regional stability.
Fidan described the MoU as carrying “historic importance,” while Hussein called it a “historic breakthrough” in Turkish-Iraqi relations. The agreement, they noted, is the first of its kind between the two nations, symbolizing a new level of trust and cooperation. Hussein emphasized that the notion of security extends beyond military concerns, encompassing broader issues such as trade, transportation, and agriculture, which are all critical to the region’s future stability.
For Türkiye, this agreement represents a strategic victory in its ongoing battle against the PKK. President Erdoğan, speaking at a recent ceremony in Ankara, underscored Türkiye’s unwavering commitment to eliminating terrorism. He asserted that Türkiye’s successes in security over the past two decades have been foundational to its strong stance on the international stage. The MoU with Iraq is seen as a further extension of this resolve, providing a framework for sustained cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
As Türkiye and Iraq move forward with the implementation of the MoU, they are laying the groundwork for a more secure and stable region. The joint command and training centers, along with the permanent committees for broader cooperation, reflect a comprehensive approach to the complex challenges both nations face. This agreement marks not just a new phase in Turkish-Iraqi relations, but also a significant step towards a more integrated and cooperative Middle East.
In essence, the MoU is more than just a security pact—it is a commitment to a shared future where both Türkiye and Iraq can address their common challenges through collaboration and mutual support. As these two nations continue to build on this foundation, they are poised to transform their relationship into a model of regional cooperation and stability.
