Abadi accuses Turkey of treating Kurds with double standards

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Tuesday accused Turkey of treating Kurds with double standards, stating that the Turkish government does not give equal rights to its Kurdish citizens.

In an interview with Kuwaiti media, the Iraqi Prime Minister said Turkey treats its Kurdish population differently than it does with Kurds in the Kurdistan Region.

“Turks have been dealing with the Kurds in the Region with a double standard. On the one hand, they supported Kurds in Iraq and made deals with them separate from the Federal Government. On the other hand, they violate Kurdish rights in Turkey,” Abadi said.

The Iraqi Prime Minister added that when the topic of the Kurdistan Region’s referendum came up, Turkey felt threatened and, therefore, “they changed their direction toward closer relations with Baghdad.”

Regarding the Turkish military presence in Iraq, Abadi stated that it is “symbolic,” adding that he had been invited to visit Turkey within the framework of the cooperation committee created between Baghdad and Ankara.

Abadi also rejected claims his government would support the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Iraq, noting that Turks are threatened by the PKK’s presence in northern Iraq, but added that “Iraq never supported [the PKK] and did not want its land used for attacks on Turkey.”

On Sunday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu arrived in Baghdad and met with Iraqi officials, including Abadi.

According to a statement by the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office, both sides discussed bilateral relations, developing trade and economic ties, and the fight against terror.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany