Iraq demands clarification from Turkey over PKK elements’ entrance into Iraq

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraq called on Turkey to clarify procedures that were taken between it and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

A Foreign Ministry statement received by Iraqi News (IraqiNews.com) cited that “The Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari asked today, the acting Turkish Ambassador in Baghdad [Afa Gilan] for clarifications from the Turkish government about the understandings conducted with the Kurdistan Workers Party PKK, and the entrance of armed groups of PKK into Iraqi territories without the knowledge and coordination with the Iraqi government,” noting that “Zebari stressed that these practices are incompatible with good neighboring relations and mutual respect between the neighboring countries and also represent a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.”

Zebari said that “Iraq supports all peace initiatives between the Turkish government, Kurdish opposition armed forces and politicians to settle the internal conflict and put an end to the violence and bloodshed, but will not accept any Turkish action at the expense of the sovereignty and security of Iraq.”

The military wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced, last Tuesday, the arrival of the first group of PKK fighters to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region after the withdrawal from the Turkish territory in Qandil mountain to the northern Iraq.

On the other hand, the Iraqi government announced, last Tuesday, it will complain to the UN Security Council in protest against the arrival of the first group of PKK fighters to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, saying that PKK fighters’ entry into Iraqi territory particularly damages the relationship with Turkey.