Iraq Bans Kurdish Separatist Group, PKK
The Iraqi government announced a significant development on Tuesday, officially banning the Kurdish separatist group PKK, which has long been in conflict with neighboring Turkey. The PKK, known for its insurgency against Turkey since the 1980s, has been a source of tension between Turkey and Iraq.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani took decisive action by instructing that the PKK be labeled as the “banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party” in all official communications, marking a clear stance on the group’s status. This came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Iraq earlier this year, where discussions focused on combating PKK activities.
Despite Iraq not designating the PKK as a terrorist group, they have included it on their list of banned organizations. The PKK’s presence in northern Iraq has led Turkey to increase its military presence in the area, with recent airstrikes targeting PKK militants.
The recent air offensive resulted in the death of four suspected PKK members, including Yusuf Kalkan, a wanted militant accused of founding and directing terror activities.