11.02.2026 22:52
In a television program attended by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, a statement was made regarding his words, "There is also an Iraqi aspect to this issue. After the Syrian aspect is over, there is the Iraqi aspect." Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli stated that Fidan's remarks were distorted by the Iraqi media, saying, "As Turkey, we reiterate our support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our neighbor Iraq."
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli stated, "We reject the distortion of our Minister's statements by taking them out of context and claiming interference in Iraq's internal affairs. On this occasion, we reiterate our support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our neighbor Iraq as Turkey."
MINISTER FIDAN: THERE IS ALSO AN IRAQ ASPECT TO THIS
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's recent remarks about "Iraq" drew attention during a program he attended. In a live broadcast on CNN Türk, Minister Fidan addressed the developments in Syria, stating, "There is also an Iraq aspect to this. After the Syria aspect is over, there is the Iraq aspect. Hopefully, they will learn from what happened here and make a wiser decision, making the transition there easier."
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPOKESPERSON: IRAQI MEDIA DISTORTED IT
Following Minister Fidan's remarks, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli provided a statement. In his statement on social media, Keçeli said: "It has been understood that some statements made by our Minister during an interview on a television channel on February 9, 2026, have been distorted by some media organizations in Iraq."
"FIDAN POINTED OUT THE PKK THREAT"
We emphasize on every occasion that we aim to further advance the institutional, constructive, and efficient cooperation we have established with Iraq in almost every area, including security and counter-terrorism, in the upcoming period. The statements made by our Minister in the mentioned interview are intended to draw attention to the threat posed by the PKK terrorist organization, which has taken refuge in parts of Iraqi territory, particularly in Sinjar, Mahmur, and Qandil, to Iraq's territorial integrity and security, based on this understanding of cooperation.
"WE REITERATE OUR SUPPORT FOR IRAQ'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY"
In this context, our Minister has emphasized the necessity of our determination to completely eliminate the terrorist organization from Iraq, just as in Syria, and the need for our cooperation with the Iraqi administration in this area to continue to grow. In this situation, we reject the distortion of our Minister's statements by some circles, claiming interference in Iraq's internal affairs by taking them out of context. On this occasion, we reiterate our support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our neighbor Iraq as Turkey," he stated.