Turkey and Iraq have entered a landmark agreement aimed at enhancing military, security, and counter-terrorism cooperation, following two days of intensive high-level talks in Ankara. The accord, which was announced by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday, signifies a significant step forward in the collaboration between the two nations, particularly in their joint efforts to combat the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK).
In recent years, Turkey’s cross-border military operations against PKK militants in northern Iraq have been a source of tension between the two countries. While Iraq has criticised these operations, citing violations of its sovereignty, Turkey has consistently defended its actions as necessary for national security. Despite these challenges, relations between Ankara and Baghdad have shown marked improvement since 2023. This positive shift is largely attributed to a series of high-level security talks and the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Baghdad, which heralded a new era in bilateral relations.
This week’s discussions in Ankara marked the fourth round of talks under the newly established dialogue mechanism between the two countries. Notably, in March, Iraq officially labelled the PKK as a “banned organisation” within its borders—a move that Turkey welcomed as a significant development in their shared fight against terrorism. The recent agreement, described by Fidan as carrying “historic importance,” was signed by the defence ministers of both nations, signalling a new level of military and security cooperation.
Under the terms of the agreement, Turkey and Iraq will establish a Joint Security Coordination Centre in Baghdad and a Joint Training and Cooperation Centre in Bashiqa. These centres are expected to facilitate closer coordination and enhance the effectiveness of their counter-terrorism operations. Fidan expressed optimism that this initiative would elevate the cooperation between the two nations to new heights, stating, “Through the joint coordination and training centres planned in this agreement, we believe we can take our cooperation to the next level.”
The significance of this agreement extends beyond the bilateral relations between Turkey and Iraq. It represents a critical step in stabilising a region long troubled by PKK insurgency and related violence. The PKK, which has been engaged in an armed struggle against the Turkish state since 1984, is officially recognised as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. The conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives, and the international community has been keenly watching for any progress towards its resolution.
While the accord marks a turning point in Turkey-Iraq relations, challenges remain, particularly regarding the implementation of the agreement. Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, speaking earlier in the week, emphasised the need for Iraq to take additional steps, particularly by officially designating the PKK as a terrorist organisation. This move, Güler suggested, would further solidify the partnership between the two nations and enhance their collective efforts against terrorism.
The signing of this military and security cooperation agreement between Turkey and Iraq is a historic moment that promises to reshape the dynamics of their relationship. It underscores a mutual commitment to addressing the PKK threat and enhancing regional security through joint initiatives. As the two countries move forward, the success of this partnership will largely depend on the effective implementation of the agreement and continued cooperation on the ground.
