On April 24, the Turkish National Security Council reported Ankara's
efforts to reconcile with Kurdish groups throughout the region, Middle East Newsline reported. The council
said the military would operate against the PKK and others that threaten
Turkey.
"It is considered that it will be beneficial for our country to continue
consultations with all Iraqi groups and groupings," the council said.
Officials said Ankara would intensify efforts to cooperate with Iraq's
autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government. They said the new policy replaced
that of a boycott of KRG, believed to be seeking independence from Iraq.
On March 28, Turkey and KRG held their first official meeting. A
delegation led by Turkish envoy to Iraq, Murat Ozcelik, met the governor of
the Iraqi province of Dohuk Province as well as Kurdish politicans.
Officials said the military, which has long dominated NSC, has supported
the new Turkish engagement with the Kurds in Iraq. They said the effort
would be led by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
