Following the two-day security summit held between Türkiye and Iraq, important steps were taken towards the fight against terrorism. As a result of this summit, a meeting was concluded to combat various terrorist organizations, especially the PKK. Memorandum of Understandingsigned. In this context, it was decided to establish a Joint Security Coordination Center in Baghdad and a Joint Training and Cooperation Center in Bashiqa. The establishment of the training center in Bashiqa was proposed by Türkiye. In 2015, the Nineveh Guards, consisting of Turkmens in the region, were trained against DAESH and DAESH was cleared from Mosul. Turkey’s current base in Bashiqa will be converted into this training center.
Activities of the Training Center
Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) will provide training to Iraqi soldiers at the Joint Training and Cooperation Center in Bashiqa. In this center, it will first be necessary to reach a consensus between the two countries to enable a joint fight against terrorism. It is extremely important to establish this unity of understanding in order for the operations to be carried out with the PKK to be successful.
Intelligence and Warfare Training
In the next stage, the Turkish army will provide training to the soldiers of the Baghdad administration on intelligence, combat, reconnaissance and coordination. When the soldiers of the two countries came together in the field, the main goal was to coordinate with each other and increase their combat capabilities to an equivalent level. These trainings are of great importance in order to overcome the difficulties faced by the soldiers of the two armies when they act together in the field.
Important Developments in the Fight against PKK
Thanks to the training of Iraqi soldiers, significant progress will be made in the fight against the PKK. Turkey’s operations from both air and land will gain momentum. While Türkiye continues its cross-border operations, the Iraqi army will also carry out operations within its own borders. Turkey’s neutralization of the terrorist organization within the border will also ensure border security.
Future Goals and Control
Turkey’s main goal in the operations in northern Iraq is to completely clear the Gara region of terrorism after the clearing of Zap and Metina. In this context, the training base to be established in Bashiqa will be an important step towards ensuring control of the Gara region. Bashiqa, which is only 25 km away from Mosul, will pave the way for the Gara region to be taken under control.
Latest Developments in the Fight against Terrorism
The fight against terrorism continues with determination across the border. 4 PKK/YPG terrorists detected in the Euphrates Shield region in northern Syria were neutralized. Uninterrupted operations began to cause disintegration within the PKK. Additionally, a member of the organization who escaped from PKK camps in northern Iraq came to the border post in Habur and surrendered to Turkish soldiers.
Reactions to Kirkuk Governorship Elections
Reactions to the governorship elections held in Kirkuk are increasing. The fact that these elections, which were boycotted by Turkmens, members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and some Arab members, were held with the initiative of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), raises concerns that the political situation of the city will become even more complicated. Aydın Maruf, Minister Responsible for Ethnic and Religious Formations of the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) and Executive Board Member of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC), stated that this meeting was not legal. Turkmens state that they will not accept being excluded from the new local government and demand an administration in which all parties are equally represented.
Expert Opinions
Iraqi political expert Kazim Yaver:“According to the 4th paragraph of the 13th article of the Provincial Assemblies law, all political parties, Kurdish, Arab and Turkmen, must participate in the meeting. It is seen that the Provincial Assembly President and the Governor are elected at the same time at The meeting. It is not included in the law that these two positions are elected together. The governor must be elected at the meeting and within 30 days after the meeting. deeper because PUK and some Arab parties have divided the authorities in Kirkuk behind closed doors. Otherwise, the situation is even more complicated. “There may be political and economic problems in the city.”
Iraqi political expert Kenan Haylani:“If the meeting is to be held outside the city, this decision must be taken unanimously in a special meeting. Therefore, the meeting held in Baghdad is not legal. Everyone needs to be represented in the local government in Kirkuk. What is happening does “Not serve the interests of Kirkuk and this situation should be reviewed. Otherwise, confusion and instability may occur in Kirkuk.”
