Turkey reiterates concerns over PUK-PKK ties

SULAYMANIYAH – Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler expressed renewed concerns about the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s alleged ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, known by its Kurdish initials PKK.

“Unfortunately, according to the information we have, the PUK continues to develop its relations” with the PKK, Guler stated in an interview with Haberturk news channel, dismissing the idea that the PUK has distanced itself from the PKK.

Guler’s remarks suggest that any improvement in relations between Turkey and the PUK is unlikely in the near future.

The PUK is one of the two major governing parties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and controls the Sulaymaniyah governorate and its surrounding areas.

Since the early 1980s, the PKK, an armed Kurdish organization, has been fighting the Turkish state for Kurdish rights.

Guler specifically called out PUK leader Bafel Talabani, saying, “Reports show that Talabani continues to advance their relations with the PKK, something the Iraqi government is also bothered by, despite the numerous talks President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and I have held with them.”

He emphasized that the PUK’s close ties with the PKK are “unacceptable,” particularly given Turkey’s strong relationship with the Iraqi government and its efforts to eliminate PKK influence in the region.

“Iraq is suffering as much as we are from these people,” Guler added. “We wish that Talabani would cut off ties with the terrorist group at once. I believe being friends with Turkey and his own country is the best move forward.”

Ankara has long accused the PUK, especially its leader Bafel Talabani, of maintaining close ties with both the PKK and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in northern Syria. These accusations have led to several punitive measures against the PUK-controlled area, including a prolonged flight ban on Sulaymaniyah International Airport.

The PUK has strongly denied Turkey’s accusations of its involvement with the PKK. PUK spokesperson Saady Ahmed Pira described the allegations as “baseless,” stating, “This is a meaningless excuse, and we strongly reject it. We have no connection with the PKK.”

Pira specifically addressed remarks made by Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, asserting, “Turkey aims to target the PUK and the Kurdistan Region. There are no relations between the PUK and PKK, nor are there any PKK positions or hospitals as they claim.”

Highlighting the PUK’s compliance with the Iraqi government’s recent crackdown on PKK-affiliated groups, Pira noted, “Several groups and parties linked to the PKK have recently been ordered by Baghdad to close their offices and revoke their licenses. Consequently, we have shut down their offices and activities in Sulaymaniyah as well.”

The PUK spokesperson concluded by characterizing Turkey’s stance as assertive, saying, “Turkey speaks from a position of strength!”
Since April 2023, flights to and from Sulaymaniyah have been barred from crossing Turkish airspace, resulting in an estimated $10 million in losses for the airport, according to its director, Handren Hiwa. Initially set to end in July, the ban has now been extended until December 7, 2024.

In July, the Iraqi Parliament’s Transport and Communications Committee inspected Sulaymaniyah International Airport, affirming its civilian status and denying any military misuse. However, Turkish officials have alleged that PKK militants have been using the airport, with some even threatening military action against the site.

Turkey has also urged Iraq to intensify its actions against the PKK. In response, Baghdad has banned the group from operating within its borders, instructed state institutions to refer to the PKK as a banned organization in official communications, and established two military bases in the Zakho region near the Turkish border.

Earlier this month, Baghdad dissolved three political parties linked to the PKK and ordered the seizure of their assets, signaling a tougher stance against the group.

Guler described these recent steps in the joint fight against the PKK as “positive” and said they are “on track as planned.”

On July 12, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that the flight ban on Sulaymaniyah International Airport would remain in place as long as the local administration refuses to distance itself from the PKK.