Iran Denies Turkish Claims of Joint Operations Against Kurds

Turkey had suggested operation could be extended to Syria

The Turkish Interior Ministry reported on Monday morning that joint operations with Iran had been launched against he Kurdish PKK, the Turkey-based secessionist group that Turkey’s government has been at more or less constant war against for decades.

Iranian officials were quick to respond to this report, saying it was not true and that no joint operations are ongoing at all. It’s unclear how this substantial confusion would even be possible.

The operation was supposedly on the eastern border of Turkey, though Turkish officials refused to offer any other details on the matter. Iran didn’t offer much either except denying that they were involved.

Turkey intended to present this as the start of broader joint operations against the Kurds in general, with suggestions that they could be expanded into Syria to target the YPG. This is probably not something that would interest Iran, as they are allied with Syria and Syria’s government is on good terms with the YPG, and has opposed Turkey attacking them.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.