Turkiye Lifts Flight Ban on Iraq's Kurdish Airport after Peace Talks

Ankara, Oct 10 (AP) Turkiye has lifted its flight ban on an airport in Iraq's Kurdish region. This restriction was initially put in place in 2023 due to Turkiye's concerns about alleged Kurdish militant activities in the area.

The resumption of flights to Sulaymaniyah International Airport was announced by Nechirvan Barzani's office, President of the Kurdish Region, following a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

Erdogan and Barzani's discussions focused on Turkiye's relations with Iraq and its Kurdish region. They also explored potential cooperations and other regional developments, according to a statement from Erdogan's office.

The flight ban, which lasted two years, was attributed to an alleged increase in the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) operations around Sulaymaniyah, which Turkiye argued posed risks to flight safety.

The PKK is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union. The group has waged a decades-long insurgency in Turkiye, with operations extending into Iraq and Syria, leading to tens of thousands of deaths.

Earlier this year, the PKK agreed to disband and renounce armed conflict as part of a peace initiative with Turkiye. A symbolic disarmament event was held near Sulaymaniyah in July.

The Kurdistan Region Presidency commended Turkiye's decision, labeling it a testament to the robust ties between both parties and a step toward enhancing mutual cooperation.

Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines confirmed the reopening of flights. “As the flag carrier, we continue to proudly represent Turkiye around the world. In alignment with this vision, we are thrilled to reconnect our Sulaymaniyah route with the skies,” said Yahya Ustun, the company spokesperson, on social media.

This decision coincided with the visit of Iraq's Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, to the Turkish capital. He was there for discussions with Turkish officials about water issues and strategies to expand bilateral cooperation. Baghdad has criticized Turkiye for building dams that they say diminish Iraq's water supply.

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