Baghdad Signs Historic Memorandum of Understanding with Ankara

Iraq's Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, announced today, Thursday, that Iraq has decided to place the Kurdistan Workers' Party on the list of "banned parties." Hussein stated in a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, in Ankara, "We will reach certain understandings with the Turkish side regarding the Bashiqa camp" located north of the city of Mosul, where Turkish forces have been present for years despite Baghdad's objections. Hussein expressed "Iraq's concern over the escalating tensions in the region and what is happening in Gaza." He noted, "We are striving for a ceasefire in Gaza." For his part, the Turkish Foreign Minister announced the "signing of a memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Iraq concerning military and security cooperation and combating terrorism." Hussein described the memorandum (concerning military and security cooperation and combating terrorism) as "the first of its kind" in the history of the two countries.