Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on July 11 met with Iraq’s National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji in Erbil to discuss border security.

According to a readout from the Prime Minister’s office, the meeting focused on the latest security developments in Iraq, emphasizing “the need for improved cooperation and coordination between the KRG and the federal government to combat terrorism and ensure security and stability in border areas.”

The meeting comes amid increased Turkish military operations against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Duhok Governorate.

On July 10, the Iraqi National Security Council met to discuss Turkiye’s operations in the border areas.

Read More: US Calls on Turkiye to Coordinate with KRG and Iraq

Following that meeting, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani sent a delegation led by al-Araji to the Kurdistan Region in order to review the situation and present a “unified position on this issue that affects Iraqi sovereignty.”

Moreover, the Iraqi National Security Council rejected Turkish military operations and called on Turkiye to “observe the principles of good neighborliness, deal diplomatically with the Iraqi government, and coordinate with it regarding any issue related to security aspects.”

On July 8, KRG Minister of Interior Reber Ahmed told reporters that the “PKK must leave those regions so that the civilians there do not face problems and suffer.”

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on July 8 that the United States has urged Turkiye to coordinate with Iraqi and Kurdistan Region authorities on cross-border military operations in order to protect civilians from harm.

The meeting between Prime Minister Barzani and al-Araji also focused on the Sinjar Agreement. Both sides agreed on the importance of implementing the agreement and normalizing the situation in the region.

Read More: Sinjar Agreement Not Implemented: USCIRF

In October 2020, the Iraqi federal government and the KRG signed the Sinjar Agreement with support of the UN, with the aim to stabilize the situation in Sinjar.

So far, the agreement has not been implemented, despite promises by Baghdad.