Turkey power grabs in Iraq

Turkey’s attacks on the PKK in northern Iraq came after the meetings with the KRG official. Turkey is making another power play in northern Iraq. It claims to be fighting the PKK, which it calls terrorists, but it is setting up bases and using Iraqi airspace.

Turkey has close ties to the KRG, the autonomous Kurdish region. Its interests there include energy trade and investment, and it wants to keep a close eye on the far-left PKK, which Turkey has been fighting for years.

While Turkey makes its moves, another operation is afoot led by Tehran. Iran wants to manhandle Baghdad and secure more influence in Iraq. It uses groups that are pro-Iranian to achieve this.