On Monday, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, condemned Turkish airstrikes against suspected positions of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in several areas in northern Iraq.
In a statement, Aboul Gheit stressed that Turkey’s military interference represents a blatant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty. He said it flouted international law, as well as relations with its Arab neighbors.
Aboul Gheit added that Turkish military interference in the Arab world, whether in Syria, Libya or Iraq, has long been a topic of particular concern for Arab nations. This is especially true given Turkey’s recent expansionary actions in the region.
He noted that the Arab League unanimously voted to condemn Turkey’s ongoing intervention in northern Iraq during its meeting in March. The unified position demanded Ankara withdraw its forces immediately and stop violating Iraq’s sovereignty.
The Secretary General stated that that the decision also agreed to provide legal support to the Iraqi government, aimed at withdrawing Turkish forces from Iraq.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that Turkish jets attacked PKK militants across northern Iraq as part of its ‘Claw-Eagle Operation’. Turkish forces frequently carry out ground operations, airstrikes and artillery bombardments against PKK positions in northern Iraq, especially the Qandil Mountains, the main base of operations for the group.
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.