Here’s a summary of the key points from the provided BBC article:
Turkish Military Expansion: Turkey has significantly expanded its military presence in northern Iraq, especially in Iraqi Kurdistan, since 2018. By December 2024, they had built at least 136 fixed military structures adn 660 km of roads. This gives them control over more than 2,000 km of Iraqi territory. Environmental Impact: The construction of roads and bases has led to deforestation in the mountainous region.
Justification: The Turkish government claims these bases are necessary to counter the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ party), which they consider a terrorist association. Impact on Local Population: The Turkish military presence has disrupted the lives of local residents. Farmers like Salam Saeed are unable to cultivate their land due to the presence of Turkish bases and drone surveillance. Some residents fear Turkey ultimately wants to claim the territory.
limited Iraqi Influence: Iraqi border guards have limited access to the border area due to the presence of Turkish troops. Iraqi Government Response: While the Iraqi government publicly condemns the Turkish presence, they have also signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkey to jointly fight the PKK. However, this agreement doesn’t limit Turkish troop presence in Iraq. Iraq’s dependence on Turkey for trade, investment, and water, along with internal political divisions, weakens its ability to take a firm stance.
Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Stance: The KRG, dominated by the Democratic Party of Kurdistan (PDK), maintains close ties with Turkey for economic benefits and to strengthen their position against regional rivals and the Iraqi government. A PDK official downplayed the negative impact of the Turkish military, claiming their focus is solely on the PKK. Ongoing Conflict: Despite calls for peace, the conflict between Turkey and the PKK continues, with Turkey bombing targets in Iraqi Kurdistan and the PKK claiming duty for attacks on Turkish assets. Civilians continue to be caught in the crossfire.
Turkey’s Military Expansion in Iraq: A Deep Dive wiht Regional Expert Dr. Anya Sharma
Time.news: Dr. Sharma, thanks for joining us today. Recent reports have highlighted Turkey’s growing military presence in Northern Iraq. Can you paint a picture of the current situation?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Certainly. Since 2018, Turkey has considerably expanded its military footprint in Iraqi Kurdistan, establishing numerous bases and infrastructure projects.Recent figures indicate the construction of at least 136 fixed military structures and 660 km of roads by December 2024. This level of expansion gives them control over a ample area,estimated to be over 2,000 square kilometers. [2], [3]. The scale is unprecedented.
Time.news: What’s driving this Turkish military expansion in iraq?
Dr. Sharma: The official justification,and the one consistently used by the Turkish government,is the need to combat the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK),which Turkey considers a terrorist institution [2].This conflict has been ongoing for decades [2]. There’s a growing sense of unease and displacement. Some worry that Turkey ultimately intends to annex parts of northern iraq.
Time.news: The reports mention a degree of ambiguity in the Iraqi government’s response. Can you elaborate on that?
Dr. Sharma: Precisely. While the Iraqi government publicly condemns the Turkish military presence, they are also constrained by several factors.They’ve even signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkey to jointly fight the PKK. The agreement doesn’t limit the Turkish presence though. Iraq is heavily reliant on Turkey for trade, investment, and vital resources like water. Internal political divisions further weaken their ability to take a strong stand against the turkish operations in Northern Iraq.
Time.news: What about the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG)? What’s their position on this?
Dr. Sharma: The KRG, particularly the dominant Democratic Party of kurdistan (PDK), has a complex relationship with Turkey. they maintain close ties for economic reasons and to strengthen their position against regional rivals and the central Iraqi government.Some KRG officials downplay the negative impact of the Turkish military, claiming their focus is solely on the PKK. This pragmatism often puts them at odds with the concerns of local residents.
time.news: So, what does the future hold for this region given the ongoing Turkey-PKK conflict and the expanding Turkish presence?
Dr. Sharma: It’s a precarious situation. The conflict shows no signs of abating. Despite calls for peace, Turkey continues its military operations, and the PKK continues to launch attacks. Civilians are consistently caught in the crossfire [2]. Without a concerted effort towards de-escalation and a genuine dialog between all parties, the situation is likely to remain volatile, with continued suffering for the local population.
Time.news: Dr. Sharma, thank you for shedding light on this complex and concerning situation.
Dr. Sharma: My pleasure.It’s important to keep a close watch on these developments.
