National Security Adviser discusses security issues with Turkey

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi National Security Advisor, Qasim Al-Araji, discussed on Monday security issues and border control between Iraq and Turkey, with the Deputy Head of the Turkish Intelligence Service, Mutlu Toca, according to a statement cited by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

Al-Araji received Toca and his accompanying delegation in Baghdad where they discussed the developments of the security situation in the region as well as issues related to the security of both countries, INA mentioned.

The meeting between the two officials also addressed a roadmap to resolve security issues between the two countries.

Toca described the recent visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani, to Turkey as important and positive, expressing his country’s aspiration to develop relations with Iraq in various fields, INA added.

The meeting between both officials took place four days after an explosion occurred near Sulaymaniyah International Airport’s outer fence reportedly targeting the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The authorities of Sulaymaniyah International Airport mentioned that the explosion did not cause any casualties or injuries, INA reported.

The explosion was caused by a missile fired from a drone, targeting the Commander-in-Chief of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi, Baghdad Today reported.

A source told Baghdad Today that a drone targeted the commander of the SDF who spent some time in Sulaymaniyah and was intending to return to Qamishli International Airport in northern Syria.

Ankara carries out air strikes against positions of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

For decades, the conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which Ankara and its Western allies classify as a terrorist group, extended to northern Iraq, where both sides have military sites or bases.