Iraqi prime minister strengthens ties with Turkey amidst cooperation talks

Turkey has been a neighboring country to Iraq, with relations that have often been tense due to conflicts regarding the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani arrived in Turkey on May 8, 2025, for discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two countries aim to enhance cooperation amidst strains linked to Turkey's military activities against the PKK in northern Iraq and disputes about water supply management. Iraq has called for a ban on the PKK and addressed the security concerns that these incursions have sparked, fostering deeper ties between the nations. The meetings in Ankara were designed to facilitate a new peace initiative concerning the PKK while simultaneously addressing Iraq's water supply issues, which have arisen due to dam constructions in Turkey. Turkish and Iraqi officials were expected to sign cooperation agreements during al-Sudani's visit. The discussions also touched on the need for collective actions to mitigate security threats stemming from the PKK's presence in Iraq's semiautonomous Kurdish region. Turkish military interventions, which have aimed to counteract the PKK since the 1980s, have historically led to strained relations exacerbated by Iraq's claims over national sovereignty. A significant change came after the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is imprisoned, urged the organization to consider dissolving and disarming as part of a peace effort with Turkey. Following a unilateral ceasefire declared by the PKK in March, the group is reportedly planning a congress in northern Iraq, during which they would announce their disbandment publicly. This marks a pivotal shift in the longstanding conflict over Kurdish autonomy and is poised to impact Iraq's internal stability and its relations with Turkey. Concerns also loom over Iraq's diminishing water supplies due to the construction of dams by Turkey. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, which originate in Turkey, are essential for Iraq's water resources. Experts warn that climate change will likely worsen the water scarcity issues already faced by Iraq, posing serious socio-economic challenges. Al-Sudani's endeavor to bolster cooperation with Turkey could be a crucial step in addressing these pressing challenges, thus demonstrating a significant diplomatic move in the recent frame of Iraqi-Turkish relations.