While the PKK is primarily Turkish, its presence in neighboring countries—particularly Iraq, where it maintains strongholds in the Qandil Mountains and Sinjar—raises questions about its future there.

Turkish FM Hakan Fidan's visit to Baghdad focused on urging Iraq to join a military alliance with Turkiye and Syria to combat the PKK and ISIS, amid regional tensions.

With the Shiite Framework now managing power in Iraq, there has been talk of an upcoming visit by Turkish President Erdogan to Baghdad, especially after Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani held talks with Erdogan in Ankara last March.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan conducted a significant visit to Iraq from August 22 to 24, 2023. The visit included multiple meetings with high-level officials and politicians in both Baghdad and Erbil.

The anticipated visit of President Erdogan, in addition to its importance and impact on relations between Baghdad and Ankara, comes in the context of launching a new phase of Turkish foreign policy toward Iraq.