Iraqi PM Abadi rejects ‘any’ territorial violations by Turkey’s anti-PKK ops

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi "rejected any violation by Turkey" on Iraqi territory during a telephone call on Monday night with Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim that focused on the PKK in Iraq.

Abadi, also the commander-in-chief, said Iraq's security forces impose control over the entirety of Iraq and when he recently visited commanders in Mosul, he ordered the prevention of any foreign fighters, according to a statement from his office.

Mosul in Nineveh province encompasses part of the Shingal region, where Turkey has threatened anti-PKK operations.

The Iraqi PM said both he and Yildirim understood there "is no agreement" between the Iraqi and Turkish governments regarding joint operations in Iraq to hunt down PKK elements.

Yildirim said Turkey respects Iraqi sovereignty and won't bypass it, according to the Iraqi statement.

Yildirim, according to Turkey's Anadolu Agency, demanded that Baghdad provide the same coordination with Ankara in the fight against PKK, as it did in the ISIS conflict.

Both statements indicated the two PMs discussed bilateral relations, the economy, trade, and energy sectors.

Erdogan announced on Saturday it would begin an anti-PKK operation in Shingal. Iraq’s Joint Operations Command denied an operation was underway on Sunday. The Iraqi army deployed to Shingal later that day and said PKK had “fully withdrawn.”

Only the YBS/YBJ and the Iraqi Army are now present. Shingal officials confirmed an agreement with Baghdad for the PKK to leave.  

Turkey began an intense anti-PKK operation in northern parts of the Kurdistan Region on March 10, occupying 28 villages and pushing 10 kilometers deep. Shingal, however, is further southwest.