Iraqi Forces Participate in Turkish Army Exercises

On Tuesday, October 4, AFP reported that Iraqi military forces participated in a Turkish military exercise along the border between the two countries. This action occurred one day after the controversial independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan. An AFP photographer noted that in the Silopi area, Turkish soldiers were seen riding moving tanks while holding the flags of both Turkey and Iraq. Despite warm relations with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the Turkish government has strongly opposed the holding of the non-binding independence referendum and threatened to implement various options ranging from economic sanctions to military actions against the Kurdistan Region. The central government in Iraq has also not recognized this referendum. Concurrently with Turkey's intensified actions against this referendum, its military conducted extensive exercises last week in the Sirnak area in southern Turkey, involving tank units and armored vehicles. The Turkish army continued this exercise on Saturday by sending more troops and announced that the third phase of the exercise would continue on Tuesday with the participation of Iraqi forces. The Turkish army did not disclose the number of participants in this exercise. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Masoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, about insisting on independence after the referendum, stating that such an action would lead to an "ethnic war" in the region and that Turkey would consider all options. Erdogan, apparently emphasizing his previous threats to close the borders with the Kurdistan Region, stated, "We will consider airspace and ground transit." He threatened that Turkey would cut off the export of Kurdish oil to the world. Previously, Iran had closed its airspace with the Kurdistan Region, citing a "request from the central government of Iraq" as the reason for this action. Erdogan also warned on Monday that the Turkish army might conduct operations in northern Iraq, similar to last year's operations when Turkish military units entered northern Syria and engaged with Islamic State militants and Kurdish forces. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had also warned before the referendum in the Kurdistan Region that he would take any necessary actions to "protect the integrity of the country." Reports indicate that 72% of eligible voters participated in the independence referendum in the Kurdistan Region, with the majority voting for independence. Masoud Barzani stated that the results of this referendum are "non-binding" and were conducted to legitimize discussions with Baghdad and neighboring countries regarding the independence of the Kurdistan Region from Iraq. Barzani had previously called for a commitment from Baghdad to initiate negotiations for the independence of the Kurdistan Region and an international guarantee for conducting these negotiations.