Baghdad on PKK: Talks with Turkey continue over group's withdrawal from Iraq
Iraq has announced that the International Coalition's mission in the country will end on September 30. Baghdad says talks with Turkey over the status of PKK members are ongoing, alongside high-level security coordination with the Kurdistan Region.
RastinewsIraqi Armed Forces General Command spokesman Sabah Numan said Wednesday that the International Coalition forces' mission in Iraq will end on September 30. Numan also said talks with Turkey over the fate of PKK members are continuing, alongside a high level of security coordination with the Kurdistan Region.
Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad, Numan said September 30 was the deadline set for the International Coalition forces to complete their mission, in line with the Iraqi government's request.
Foreign forces are already withdrawing rapidly from the country, a process overseen by the Armed Forces General Command Office, Numan said. He added that "Steel Will," the ongoing operation against ISIS remnants, would also conclude on September 30.
Numan addressed the PKK's presence in Iraq as well. He said Baghdad remains in contact with Ankara over the status of PKK members, and that talks with Turkey cover PKK members either returning to Turkey or leaving Iraq for a destination of their own choosing.
On security cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad, Numan said this week's security meeting covered joint brigades between federal forces and the Peshmerga, border crossings, and counter-narcotics efforts.
He said the director of the General Command Office had been assigned to ensure wanted individuals are handed over quickly, without bureaucratic delays, as part of coordination with Peshmerga forces.
Numan also stressed the goal of curbing illegal weapons in the country. He said efforts to bring all arms under state control were proceeding in line with the government's vision, and that weapons held outside state control would not be permitted under any circumstances.
Source: Rûdaw