Iraq orders PKK to be labelled 'banned organisation' in correspondence

The Iraqi government issued a directive for state institutions to refer to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as a “banned organisation” in official correspondence.

According to local media reports, an official letter sent to the Iraqi Parliament included new instructions from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani regarding the group.

Al-Sudani directed that the term “banned organisation” be used in all official institutional correspondence when referring to the PKK.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkiye, the US, and the EU, and has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women and children.

Baghdad’s move is seen means to improve ties with Turkiye which has battled the group for 40 years.

The PKK has maintained bases in northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region. In recent months, Turkiye has built up its troops in northern Iraq and has threatened an offensive to clear PKK forces from the border area.

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