Turkish officials in Ankara have met with a senior member of one of the Iraqi Kurdish factions to reduce existing tensions. Both sides could be key allies in any U.S. attack on Iraq. Hoshyar Zebari, from the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iraq, states that his group wishes to return to the good old days of cooperation and mutual respect. Relations between Turkey and the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iraq had soured due to Turkey's concerns that this party might seek to establish an independent government in northern Iraq. The Iraqi Kurdish minority has controlled a vast area of northern Iraq since 1991 and the end of the Gulf War. However, Turkey, which has a significant Kurdish population itself, opposes the establishment of an independent Kurdish state in Iraq. Iraqi Kurds have emphasized that their goal is to have a political role in a federal system in Iraq and do not wish to form an independent Kurdish country.
Improved Relations Between Iraqi Kurds and Turkey - 2002-08-29
Turkish officials met with Iraqi Kurdish leaders to ease tensions, as both could be important allies in the event of a U.S. attack on Iraq. Hoshyar Zebari of the Kurdistan Democratic Party expressed a desire to restore cooperative relations. This is significant as Turkey fears an independent Kurdish state in Iraq, which could influence its own Kurdish population.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Turkish officials met with Iraqi Kurdish leaders to ease tensions and discuss potential cooperation amid concerns over a U.S. attack on Iraq. Hoshyar Zebari expressed a desire to restore positive relations between the two parties.
- Turkey fears the establishment of an independent Kurdish state in Iraq could inspire its own Kurdish population.
- Iraqi Kurds have controlled northern Iraq since 1991 and seek a political role within a federal Iraq rather than independence.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Kurdish population in Iraq has sought autonomy and political representation, while Turkey has historically opposed Kurdish independence due to its own Kurdish minority issues.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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