Iraq seeks to resolve border issues with Turkey using Iran agreement as model

NEWSROOM – Iraq is committed to resolving its border concerns with Turkey by using the same mechanism that successfully secured its borders with Iran, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s office said on Wednesday.

The announcement followed a meeting between Al-Sudani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in New York, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The two leaders discussed a range of bilateral issues, including border security, economic cooperation, and regional developments, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

On Aug. 15, Turkey and Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding on military, security, and counterterrorism cooperation, marking a significant step forward in bilateral relations. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the deal following two days of high-level security talks in Ankara. This development comes amid years of tensions over Turkey’s cross-border military operations against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants based in Iraqi Kurdistan. While Iraq has criticized the incursions as violations of its sovereignty, Turkey insists they are necessary for its security.

Relations have improved in recent months, particularly following Turkish President Erdogan’s visit to Baghdad in April, when he declared that bilateral ties had “entered a new phase.” As part of ongoing security talks, the Iraqi government labeled the PKK a “banned organization” in March, a move welcomed by Turkey. Fidan called the military accord historic, noting that joint coordination and training centers would enhance cooperation.

The March 2023 security agreement between Iraq and Iran aimed to prevent Iranian Kurdish groups from using the Kurdistan region as a base for operations against the Iranian government. Under the agreement, Iraq’s central government deployed troops to patrol the border between the Kurdistan region and Iran, while the Kurdish groups committed to vacating their positions by Sept. 19, 2023.

Al-Sudani emphasized the importance of “resolving outstanding issues and addressing border concerns using the same mechanism that secured Iraq’s borders with Iran.” He reiterated that Iraq would not allow its territory to be “used as a platform for attacks or threats against neighboring countries,” according to the statement.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of committees formed to implement agreements from Erdoğan’s April visit to Baghdad. Al-Sudani highlighted Iraq’s Development Road project, stressing its importance in boosting regional connectivity and economic cooperation.

President Erdogan, in response, expressed Turkey’s support for Iraq’s efforts. “We support developing economic partnerships with Iraq, cooperation in counterterrorism, and contributing to the Development Road project based on principles of good neighborliness and goodwill,” Erdogan was quoted as saying. He also noted progress on “mutual steps taken to facilitate visa issuance for citizens of both countries” and the potential for collaboration in the energy sector.

The two leaders also discussed regional developments, focusing on ongoing violence in Gaza and Lebanon. Al-Sudani called for strengthening “Islamic coordination to achieve a unified stance that contributes to deterring aggression and stopping the genocide against Palestinians and the recent attacks on Lebanon.”

Erdogan echoed this sentiment, stressing the need to “work with all Islamic countries to rally positions to stop the war and aggression against Palestine and Lebanon” and prevent further escalation in the region.