Can Erözden
09 July 2016•Update: 10 July 2016
By Ismail Ozdemir
ISTANBUL
It is a necessity that Turkey and the northern Iraqi regional Kurdish government cooperate to fight the terrorist groups Daesh and PKK, Turkey’s prime minister has told his counterpart in the regional government.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in a phone call that the terrorist groups are working to disrupt the peace and stability of Turkey and all of Iraq, including the KRG, said sources in Yildirim’s office late Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking with the media.
Barzani reportedly thanked Turkey for supporting the KRG’s stability and welfare, adding that they are in full cooperation and solidarity with Turkey on fighting terror.
The two also agreed to maintain efforts and close dialogue to strengthen cooperation in all areas, especially the economy, trade, and energy, said the sources.
In addition, Barzani offered his condolences for the victims of last month’s deadly terrorist attack at Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
A total of 45 people died in the terrorist attack, blamed on Daesh.
The PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU – resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.
Since then, nearly 600 security personnel, including troops, police officers, and village guards, have been martyred, and more than 5,000 PKK terrorists killed in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq.
*Anadolu Agency’s Can Erozden contributed to this report.
