Turkish President Erdogan’s recent visit to Baghdad marks a significant diplomatic move, as he sets foot in the Iraqi capital for the first time in over a decade. Amid escalating tensions over the deportation of Syrian refugees from Iraq, particularly the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, Erdogan’s visit comes amid the backdrop of recent tensions between PKK-aligned Syria-based groups and those in Erbil.
A recent report by the Jusoor Center for Studies has shed light on the exploitation of government decisions by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Syrian branch of the PKK, to facilitate the deportation of displaced Syrians residing in northeastern Syria. The center’s report reveals that the SDF militia has been utilizing measures implemented by the governments of Baghdad and the Iraqi Kurdistan region against Syrian refugees to cloak its deportation operations. Despite the Iraqi government’s absence of any official deportation actions, the SDF announced the arrival of Syrians deported from Iraq, purportedly under the pretext of prosecuting foreigners violating residency conditions.
Furthermore, the report exposes the SDF’s clandestine deportation campaigns, targeting individuals and families residing in areas under its control without proper documentation. Families from various Syrian governorates have been forcibly relocated, raising concerns about the SDF’s arbitrary application of expulsion measures. Such actions exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in Syria, where millions continue to suffer from displacement and insecurity.
Amidst these developments, Erdogan’s visit to Baghdad carries added significance. With Ankara highlighting the threat posed by the PKK and its Syrian affiliate, the YPG, Erdogan emphasized the imperative of cooperation in combating terrorism. The PKK’s presence in Iraqi territory not only undermines Turkey’s security but also threatens the stability and prosperity of Iraq. Erdogan calls for “joint action against terrorism,” noting the shared interests of Turkey and Iraq in addressing “security challenges emanating from terrorist organizations.”
Erdogan’s remarks echo Turkey’s long-standing stance on the PKK, which Ankara views as a grave threat to its national security. Designated as a terrorist organization by multiple countries, including Turkey, the US, and the EU, the PKK’s activities in Iraq have long been a source of contention between Ankara and Baghdad.
