The Turkish and Iraqi armies conducted joint military exercises near the Iraq-Turkey border on September 25, 2017, as Turkey threatened economic and military action in response to the Iraqi Kurdish independence referendum.

Turkey-Iraq Relations: Opportunities and Tensions in Security and Connectivity

Institute:

Middle East Technical University (METU)

Project members:

Prof. Dr. Meliha Altunışık, Department of International Relations, Middle East Technical University (METU) 
Assoc. Dr. Derya Göçer, Area Studies, Middle East Technical University (METU)
Dr. Amr Ellithy, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Middle East Technical University (METU)
Nebahat Tanrıverdi Yaşar, Independent Researcher

Project Duration: Oct 2024 – Dec 2025

Contact:

Assoc. Dr. Derya Göçer, email: akderya@metu.edu.tr


In recent years, Turkey had made significant strides in normalising relations with its Middle Eastern neighbours, including Iraq. This project explored the evolving relationship between Turkey and Iraq, highlighted by a landmark visit of a Turkish delegation, during which 26 cooperation agreements were signed. These agreements spanned critical areas such as security, counterterrorism, trade, energy, water management and education. In a notable move, Iraq also designated the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as a “prohibited organisation” for the first time.

This project sought to analyse this rapprochement by focusing on three key areas: security, water management, and economic reconstruction and connectivity. It explored Turkey’s goals, strategies and tools in Iraq and assessed the responses from Iraqi stakeholders. Additionally, the project examined the broader implications for Turkey–EU relations, particularly around regional stability and development.

Key objectives included:

  • Identifying Turkey’s strategic interests and policies in Iraq
  • Assessing Iraqi perspectives on Turkey’s actions, including those of the central government and the KRG
  • Locating Turkey–Iraq relations in their regional context
  • Analysing the implications of Turkey–Iraq relations in relation to the regional policies of the major powers: the US, Russia and China
  • Exploring areas of cooperation and competition between Turkey and the EU, focusing on security, water and the economy

Through four case studies and a multi-level analysis, this project aimed to provide actionable insights for policymakers, particularly in Turkey, Iraq and the EU. By examining the dynamics of Turkey’s evolving policies and their implications for regional security, connectivity and development, the project offered valuable recommendations for government and private-sector stakeholders alike.

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