Turkey is anticipating a new disarmament initiative involving the PKK and its affiliates, which could bolster stability in Iraq and advance peace efforts in the broader region. During discussions in Ankara with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Heybet Halbusi, Turkey’s Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş emphasized the potential impact of the process, projected to commence next month, on Iraq’s peace and stability. He also noted its potential benefits for security in Syria.
Kurtulmuş framed the initiative within Turkey’s comprehensive strategies for creating a “terror-free Türkiye” and fostering a “terror-free region.” He called for enhanced regional collaboration and urged countries to resolve longstanding disparities. This initiative is part of Turkey’s broader diplomatic and security objectives aimed at regional harmony.
Highlighting the improving relations between Turkey and Iraq, Kurtulmuş drew attention to several agreements and memorandums established during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 2024 visit to Iraq. These agreements were further expanded upon during the Iraqi prime minister’s visit to Turkey in July, reflecting a deepening of strategic ties between the two nations.
Among the key areas of collaboration is the Development Road Project, a proposed transport corridor designed to enhance connectivity between Asia and Europe via Iraq and Turkey. Kurtulmuş expressed Turkey’s full backing for expediting this project, which aims to foster economic growth throughout the region. He described the initiative as extending beyond mere economic interests, emphasizing its potential to unite communities, cities, and cultures through cooperative efforts.