By Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has called for the disarmament of the PKK terrorist group, along with all armed groups operating in the country.

At a Tuesday press conference held in Baghdad, al-Abadi said his government wanted to see the “complete disarmament” of all armed groups operating in Iraq, especially the PKK.

He went on to note that his cabinet, at a weekly meeting on Tuesday, had also discussed the security situation along Iraq’s borders with Turkey and Iran.

Earlier this month, the Turkish Armed Forces launched fresh counter-terrorism operations in northern Iraq's Qandil Mountain region, a known PKK stronghold.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

During the group’s three-decade terror campaign against Turkey, over 40,000 people -- including women and children -- have been killed.