As Iraq accuses Türkiye of “assaults” on its soil, the Turkish International Ministry mentioned a “drone assault” Baghdad claims was performed by Türkiye in Iraq’s north revealed that members of the PKK terrorist group had been coaching with a gaggle affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) energetic within the area managed by the Kurdistan Regional Authorities (KRG).
The ministry issued a press release late Tuesday in regards to the explosion on Monday at Arbat Airport within the metropolis of Sulaymaniyah.
“We carefully monitor the terrorist actions of the PKK and its extensions in Iraq, which had been intensified particularly within the north of the nation, in addition to the mobility by the phobia hall established between Syria and Iraq. On this vein, the developments associated to the explosion that befell on Sept. 18, 2023, at Arbat Airport in Sulaymaniyah are noteworthy. It’s understood that the members of the PUK’s ‘Anti-Terrorist Group’ had been conducting a coaching train along with PKK/YPG terrorists on the time of the explosion. This improvement is sort of disturbing because it has clearly revealed the cooperation between the PUK’s safety equipment and members of the terrorist group,” the ministry mentioned in its assertion.
“This newest incident has additionally confirmed as soon as once more the accuracy of the measures we’ve got taken concerning Sulaymaniyah, the individuals of who’re virtually taken hostage by the terrorist group. Türkiye expects each the central authorities of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Authorities to acknowledge the PKK terrorist group and its associates as terrorist organizations and to sincerely and tangibly fight terrorism,” the assertion additionally mentioned.
International Minister Hakan Fidan visited Iraq, together with Baghdad and the KRG area, final month in his first go to since his appointment and has voiced Türkiye’s name for the PKK’s recognition as a terrorist group.
“We should not permit the PKK terrorist group, which is a standard enemy of Türkiye and Iraq, to poison our bilateral relations,” Fidan mentioned at a information convention in August together with his Iraqi counterpart.
“We can not settle for the PKK difficult the sovereignty of Iraq,” he added. Fidan mentioned that the territorial integrity, political unity and sovereignty of Iraq are one in every of Türkiye’s priorities. “Sinjar, Makhmour, Qandil, Sulaymaniyah and lots of different Iraqi districts have been occupied by the PKK terrorist group.”
In its greater than 35-year terror marketing campaign in opposition to Türkiye, the PKK has been accountable for the deaths of over 40,000 individuals, together with girls, youngsters and infants. Türkiye helps Iraq’s combat in opposition to the PKK terrorist group, Fidan mentioned.
“We’re able to collaborate with Iraq within the combat in opposition to all types of terrorist organizations, whether or not it is the PKK or Daesh, no matter their names.
“These teams, aiming to undermine Iraq’s territorial integrity and political unity, are focusing on the steadiness and prosperity of our Iraqi brothers and committing crimes in opposition to humanity,” he added.
Ankara maintains dozens of army bases in northern Iraq the place it frequently launches operations in opposition to the group, which maintains a stronghold within the Qandil Mountains. In the previous few years, intensifying operations within the area have demolished terrorist lairs in Metina, Avashin-Basyan, Zap and Gara. After eradicating the group’s affect in these areas, Türkiye additionally goals to clear Qandil, Sinjar and Makhmour. Türkiye’s army involvement in northern Iraq dates again over twenty years, individually from its operations in opposition to the PKK, and in addition included the conflict in opposition to the Daesh terrorist group, which managed a lot of the realm, in 2014 and 2015, when Ankara was an ally within the U.S.-led anti-Daesh marketing campaign. The terrorist group has been extra energetic in Syria after a civil conflict broke out greater than a decade in the past. YPG terrorists management areas close to the Syrian-Iraqi border and unconfirmed experiences say they journey between the 2 international locations secretly.