Fidan says Iraq must act on PKK, cites lessons from Syria operations

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has declared that the presence of the PKK terror organization in Iraq is set to become a central issue, emphasizing that the Iraqi government will need to take definitive action against the group. During a live interview with CNN Türk, Fidan indicated that after recent operational developments in Syria, strategic focus would inevitably shift to neighboring Iraq.

A Call for Iraqi Political Will

Fidan argued that the PKK's entrenched presence, especially in the Sinjar region, cannot be allowed to continue. He stated that while Iraq's acknowledgment of the PKK problem has often been "rhetorical" over the past five years, discussions in Baghdad have now become more substantive under current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. "Our argument has always been this: the PKK is an organization established against Türkiye, but it doesn't occupy any territory within Türkiye. However, in Iraq, conversely, it occupies vast swathes of land," Fidan said. He questioned what kind of sovereign state would permit an armed group to operate so freely on its soil.

Military Assessment and Regional Dynamics

The Foreign Minister assessed that Iraq possesses sufficient capacity to confront the PKK. He pointed to the situation in Sinjar, noting the area is encircled by the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi). Fidan revealed he has held approximately 20 meetings with the head of Hashd al-Shaabi, Falih al-Fayyad, and suggested a coordinated effort would be decisive. "If Hashd al-Shaabi advances on the ground while we conduct air operations, this would take two or three days. It is a very simple military operation," he stated. Fidan criticized Baghdad for not perceiving the PKK's occupation as a primary national security threat.

Broader Political and Economic Context

Fidan also touched upon broader Iraqi politics and external influences. While stating that Türkiye does not favor or oppose any Iraqi leader who comes to power through legitimate processes, he acknowledged concerns linked to former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's past tenure. He pointed out that U.S. President Donald Trump's stated opposition to al-Maliki would likely be influential. Fidan highlighted the continued U.S. oversight of Iraqi oil revenues through a UN mechanism, noting, "If a certain amount of dollars does not come from New York to Iraqi banks every month, the Iraqi economy has no chance of functioning. The United States has many levers in its hands."