Turkey, Iraq Sign MOU on Defense Industry Cooperation

Turkey and Iraq have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance strategic cooperation between the countries in the field of defense industry.

The agreement was signed during the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Haluk Görgün, President of Turkey's Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), to Iraq on April 22. The agreement was formalized between Turkey and Mustafa Ati Hassan, President of Iraq's Defense Industry Commission (DIC) in Baghdad.

“I hope that this agreement, which I believe will contribute to our regional stability, will be beneficial for both countries,” stated Görgün.

Additionally, during joint discussions between President Erdogan and Iraqi leaders, the focus was on potential joint actions against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). President Erdogan welcomed Iraq's recent decision to designate the PKK as a banned organization. The PKK has been engaged in a long-standing insurgency against Turkey and is considered a terrorist group by Ankara and several Western countries. Turkey has conducted military operations in northern Iraq, termed "Claw," targeting PKK militants since 2019.