The Turkish Defence Ministry’s recent announcement of a border security meeting held with ‘Iraqi officials’ has been scrutinised for censorship of the Kurdistan Region flag, an omission which implies hidden collaboration with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
The Ministry of National Defence (MSB) announced on Tuesday that a meeting had been held with “Iraqi officials”, under a pretence to “discuss the situation at the Turkish-Iraqi border”.
A photo of the meeting was shared during the announcement, and critically, the flag of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, printed on participant’s uniforms, had been censored in the image.
According to RojNews, censorship of the regional flag aimed to conceal the true nature of the meeting, and prompted speculation on operational coordination, including border security, between the Turkish state and the KDP forces. The meeting coincided with a significant deployment of forces, labelled as Iraqi Border Guards but in fact consisting of KDP members, to areas near the Kurdistan Region.
Defence Minister Yaşar Güler visited the Kurdish-majority Şırnak (Şirnex) province, located on the Iraqi-Turkish border, on Wednesday to receive updates on preparations for what appears to be a new and broader ground invasion into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). His comments suggest an expectation for Iraqi government cooperation and implies threats of sanctions against Iraq should it fail to collaborate.
RojNews released the exposé on the MSB announcement on Wednesday, featuring the photo. The exposé alleges that the meeting was attended by Barzani family officers, KDP officials and Turkish state representatives. The report accuses them of engaging in “betrayal and occupation” and collaboration with the “genocidal Turkish state” on plans to threaten the Kurdish population. The MSB stated these operations in the KRI are conducted in close coordination with Iraqi security units, hinting at substantial collaboration between the KDP, the Barzani family and the Turkish state.
The exposé criticises this alliance, suggesting it supports Turkey’s efforts to suppress Kurdish self-determination, depicting it as a betrayal of Kurdish interests. It highlights the role of Barzani family members and KDP military officials in aiding Turkish operations against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), implying a broader ambition for a long-term Turkish occupation in KRI, using local Kurdish political factions such as the KDP to achieve its goals. The implicated individuals are outlined as actively facilitating Turkish military actions against Kurdish forces.
Individuals mentioned in exposé:
Behzad Barzani (Lokman Mustafa) – Identified as one of the leading officers from the Barzani family, actively involved in supporting Turkish state operations against the PKK in KRI.
Salar Teymur – Commandant of the Zerevani special forces, known for engaging in ambushes against the PKK. Described as having closely examined a map of occupation plans provided by the Turkish state, with a deliberate censoring of the Kurdistan Regional flag on his uniform in the published photograph.
Dilêr Ferzinde – Appointed by the KDP as the responsible official for the Iraqi Border Guard Forces in Behdinan, shown paying serious attention to discussions at a meeting with the Turkish state regarding ‘genocide plans’.
Gohdar Şêxo – Despite not officially holding a governor’s position, he is equipped with administrative authority by the KDP and appointed to manage Zaxo. He is mentioned as part of the ‘betrayal and occupation meeting’, representing KDP’s administrative interests.
Metin Tokel – A Turkish general, specifically the Second Army Commander. Cited as a ‘principal figure in recent attacks and massacres in Southern Kurdistan’, appearing satisfied in the photograph with Barzani family members and KDP officials around him.
