Türkiye corrects 'distorted' Iraq remarks, reaffirms respect for Baghdad's sovereignty

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has moved to correct what it describes as the deliberate distortion of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's remarks on Iraq by certain media circles. In an official statement, spokesperson Öncü Keçeli emphasized that Fidan's comments during a Feb. 9 television interview were taken out of context and wrongly portrayed as interference in Iraq's internal affairs.

Counterterrorism cooperation, not intervention

The ministry stressed that Ankara has established institutional, constructive and productive cooperation with Baghdad across numerous fields, particularly security and counterterrorism. "The statements made by Minister Fidan are intended to draw attention to the threat posed to Iraq's territorial integrity and security by the PKK terrorist organization, which has established itself in parts of Iraqi territory, particularly in Sinjar, Makhmur and Qandil," the statement read. Rather than exceeding the boundaries of partnership, Fidan was underscoring a shared threat and reaffirming Türkiye's readiness to strengthen joint efforts with Iraqi authorities.

Eradicating the terrorist presence

Fidan's remarks highlighted Ankara's determination to see the complete elimination of the PKK terrorist presence from Iraqi soil, just as it pursues the same objective in Syria. The minister emphasized the necessity of sustaining and deepening the existing counterterrorism cooperation with Iraq's central government. The clarification serves as a firm rejection of any narrative suggesting Türkiye seeks to undermine Iraqi sovereignty.

Unwavering support for Iraq's unity

The ministry took the opportunity to reiterate Ankara's unequivocal support for Iraq's territorial integrity, political unity and national sovereignty. The statement reflects Türkiye's sensitivity toward perceptions of its regional role and its commitment to conducting counterterrorism operations within a framework of partnership and respect for international law. Baghdad and Ankara continue to maintain dialogue on security matters, with both capitals acknowledging the PKK's presence as a mutual concern requiring coordinated action.