Iran, Turkey form joint military fronts against the Kurds

By Editor On Aug 22, 2017

Turkey and Iran are deepening military cooperation following a visit by the latter’s top military chief Mohammad Bagheri to Ankara last week with a high-level delegation.

The two countries are discussing joint military action against Kurdish militants they accuse of threatening their territorial integrity.

The cooperation plan was announced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before he headed to Jordan on an official visit.

Erdogan said Turkey and Iran will take military action against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its offshoot, the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK).

Both countries oppose Iraqi Kurdistan’s independence referendum scheduled for Sept. 25, as they are concerned that it may spur separatist ambitions among their own Kurdish populations.

The joint military action is expected to take place in the Qandil region along the Iraq-Iran border.
“Joint action against terrorist groups that have become a threat is always on the agenda,” Erdogan said on Monday.

“This issue has been discussed between the two military chiefs, including its diplomatic aspects.”