Turkey’s president and Iraq’s prime minister reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate against security threats, including against Kurdish militants based on Iraqi territory

After the decision by the Kurdish militant group PKK to disband, Turkey was eyeing Wednesday a raft of legal and technical measures to ensure its full implementation and finally end a four-decade insurgency.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani arrived in Turkey on Thursday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as their two neighboring countries move forward with efforts to strengthen cooperation and repair previously tense ties.

ISTANBUL - Turkey is embarking on a hazardous path to ensure the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group implements its decision to disband after 40 years of conflict, facing obstacles that need to be overcome in neighbouring Iraq and Syria.

Data recently published revealed that the value of Iraq’s oil exports to Turkey surpassed $1.5 billion in 2024.

A top official says Turkey is closely monitoring any attempts to undermine its peace initiative with the PKK following the militant Kurdish group’s announcement that it is ending its decades-long armed conflict with the Turkish state.

“When we briefly summarize the problems Syria is currently facing, there is the issue of Israeli expansionism. This has truly reached a point where it threatens Syria’s stability, security, and future,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, flanked by his Jordanian and Syrian counterparts, Ayman Safadi and Asaad al-Shibani.

After decades of insurgency, the PKK plans to disarm and disband. Although skepticism still remains over Kurdish gains, lasting peace, and implications for affiliated groups in Syria.