Major General Yahya Rasool, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, affirmed that Iraq will not allow its territory to be used as a launchpad for terrorist activities directed at neighboring countries, particularly Turkey, with whom Iraq shares strong economic and cultural ties. In an interview with the “Al-Iraqiya” news channel on Tuesday, Rasool emphasized, “Iraq enjoys robust and mutual relations with Turkey,” highlighting that “the relationships with neighboring countries are built on respecting their territorial sovereignty.”
He added that there are sound security and military agreements between Iraq and Turkey, including the signing of joint memorandums of understanding in military training. Rasool noted that there would be positive steps with Turkey in combating terrorism, mentioning that “the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Iraq carried a message affirming a solid relationship with the Iraqi side.”
The security situation in Iraq has seen some improvements but remains fragile with persistent challenges. The country continues to grapple with internal political instability, inter-ethnic violence, and ongoing threats from extremist groups like ISIS. A notable concern is the tension in areas like Kirkuk, where ethnic clashes have erupted, particularly involving Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen. This tension reflects deeper issues related to governance, control over resources, and territorial disputes.
In terms of regional security, Iraq’s government has been active in establishing security collaborations with neighboring countries to mitigate cross-border terrorism. This includes agreements with Iran and Turkey to manage and secure their shared borders, reflecting Iraq’s proactive stance in controlling external threats. However, despite these efforts, challenges such as airstrikes from neighboring countries and the presence of foreign militants continue to pose security risks.
