Erdoğan Neçirvan Barzani

The Complicated Relationship between Turkey and the KRG

A History of Cooperation and Conflict

The relationship between Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been complex and often fraught with tension. Turkey is a majority-Muslim country with a strong secular government, while the KRG is a self-governing region in northern Iraq that is home to a predominantly Kurdish population. The two sides have a long history of cooperation and conflict, dating back to the Ottoman Empire.

In the early 20th century, Turkey and the Kurds fought a series of wars over the control of Kurdistan. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Kurds were granted autonomy in the Treaty of Lausanne. However, this autonomy was short-lived, as Turkey soon reasserted its control over the region.

In the 1980s, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) launched a separatist insurgency against Turkey. The PKK is a Kurdish nationalist group that seeks to create an independent Kurdistan. The Turkish government has responded to the PKK insurgency with a heavy-handed military campaign that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Kurds.

The Rise of the KRG

In the 1990s, the KRG was established as a self-governing region within Iraq. The KRG is led by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which is a moderate Kurdish nationalist party. The KRG has enjoyed a relatively peaceful relationship with Turkey since its establishment, although there have been occasional tensions over issues such as oil exports and the PKK insurgency.

The Syrian Civil War

The Syrian civil war has had a major impact on the relationship between Turkey and the KRG. Turkey has been a major supporter of the Syrian opposition, while the KRG has been accused of supporting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF is a US-backed militia that has been fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The Turkish government has accused the KRG of allowing the PKK to use its territory as a base for attacks on Turkey. The KRG has denied these accusations, but the tensions between the two sides have increased in recent years.

The Future of Turkey-KRG Relations

The future of Turkey-KRG relations is uncertain. The two sides have a long history of cooperation and conflict, and it is unclear how the Syrian civil war will ultimately affect their relationship. However, it is clear that the relationship between Turkey and the KRG will continue to be a major factor in the stability of the Middle East.