Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari confirmed today, Saturday, that Baghdad will not allow the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to be used as a pretext for targeting its territory. In a televised interview, the Iraqi interior minister stated that "Iraqi forces have secured the border sites that were held by the Iranian opposition." He emphasized the importance of "restricting weapons to the hands of the state," noting that "registration of light weapons is underway, and the purchase of heavy weapons has started."
Al-Shammari had expressed earlier this month that the situation on the border with neighboring Turkey is concerning due to the presence of the PKK in the territory of the Kurdistan Region. During remarks made at the "Rafidain Forum" on the fifth of the month, he stated that "Turkish intervention has violated border areas to use them as a war zone against the PKK." He clarified that "the border from the Duhok side (north) is subject to Turkish intervention, and has turned into a conflict with the PKK."
The minister mentioned that "the government is coordinating with Turkey regarding the PKK, but the situation requires time due to the ruggedness of the area."
Tensions between Ankara and Baghdad have increased in recent years, as Turkey has intensified its cross-border operations against PKK militants stationed in the mountainous regions of northern Iraq. Iraq has stated that these operations violate its sovereignty, while Turkey asserts that it must protect itself and has warned of further incursions.
