Second visit by Türkiye's intelligence chief in a month raises question marks in Iraq

Hakan Fidan, head of the National Intelligence Agency (MİT), visited the Turkmen leaders in Iraq's Kurdistan Region on Monday (October 4) in what was his second visit to the country in less than a month.

Fidan had a meeting with Hasan Turan, head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, and members of the group's Political Bureau.

There has not been any statement made about the subject of the meeting but in connection to the meetings held in Bagdad, there are ongoing speculations in Iraq that a Turkmen MP from Kirkuk could be given an influential ministry in the government.

The Coordination Framework, an alliance of various Shiite political groups, requests that the reason for the visit should be explained.

The Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reported that Turki Cedan of the Coordination Framework told the Iraqi media that "we are following the visit of the head of the Turkish Intelligence a few days ago in Erbil."

"It is a concern that [Fidan] has made his visit without informing the Iraqi Government," he said.

The MP argued that "such meetings cannot be held with superior security officials of Türkiye without the consent of the central Iraqi government." He said the reason for the visit should be "clarified."

He asked, "With what purpose is Hakan Fidan making this visit in a period when Iraq is in a political crisis?"

Cedan said that the Security and Defense institutions of the Iraqi National Council should approach such security meetings sensitively.

"One-sided policy against Kurdistan"

Lahur Talabany, co-leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), also criticized the meeting in a statement on Twitter.

He said Türkiye and Iran were pursuing one-sided policies against Kurdistan and accused them of causing casualties among civilians, including women and children, in their military operations targeting armed Kurdish groups.

"I invite the central government and international institutions to take a stand against these serious attacks by the neighboring countries to Iraqi Kurdistan and to the regions where civilian citizens live," he said.

Visits in September

Fidan had visited Baghdad on September 11 and met political and security officials of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Fidan had also met Hamis Hancer, leader of the Sunni Sovereignty Alliance in Iraq's parliament. According to the reports in the media, Fidan then called for 'unity' with the Sunni leaders.

Fidan's visit took place in a period when efforts have gathered momentum in order to find a solution to the crisis related to not being able to form a government which has been continuing for almost a year.

Fidan met Iraq's President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, Chief of the Parliament Mohamed Halbousi and representatives of political parties and then met the Kurdistan Regional Government authorities.

The media reported that the Fidan had communicated to the officials in Iraq that Türkiye "reassured that territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq will be protected," but would continue the military activities targeting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). (PE/VK)