The fundamental reason for Ankara's close interest in Iraq is the country's failure to ensure security within its own territory and its failure to prevent the PKK's deployment in northern Iraq.

Iraq has lately been the focal point of world politics due to the discussions regarding the Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum, which has been urged by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Apparently, no country in the region other than Israel supports the referendum. Iraqi Kurdistan President, Masoud Barzani's insistence on holding the referendum has even played a role in converging Ankara, Baghdad and Tehran administrations.

While it is more than natural for the referendum to be discussed within Turkish media circles due to the territorial proximity with Iraq, the discussions conducted often go too far as policy recommendations that will strain Turkey are made. Within these discussions many facts are distorted and this unavoidably leads to growing confusion within the public. Due to this reason, it is crucial to clearly answer and understand the question as to what Turkey desires and expects from Iraq.

First, the leading subject matter Turkey pays attention to within its Iraq policy is preventing the outlawed PKK and other terror groups from using the country's territory. The fundamental reason for Ankara's close interest in Iraq is due to the country's failure to ensure security within its own territory and its failure to prevent the PKK's deployment in northern Iraq. Maintaining a successful fight against the PKK within its own borders, Turkey primarily confronts Iraqi territory when it concentrates on cutting off the external sources of the terrorist organization.

As Baghdad and Arbil cannot or do not impede Qandil's employment as the PKK headquarters, where the terror attacks against Turkey have been plotted for years, the PKK aspires to expand its domain to Sinjar by taking advantage of the upheaval stirred by Daesh. The PKK's rising influence in Iraqi territory inevitably increases Turkey's interest in the country. If the PKK seizes territory in Iraq or Syria, Turkey's fight against the terror group will have a poor chance to succeed. Therefore, Ankara's fight against the PKK begins from Iraqi and Syrian territories and extends to as far as Germany, Belgium and even the United States.

The second most important aspect of Turkey's Iraq policy is the protection of the country's territorial integrity. Considering the current Iraqi Constitution, it can be stated that the KRG's insistence on independence is far from being rational. This is due to the fact that the KRG is quite influential in the country's administration, as it rules federated areas with its autonomous parliament and government and has its own armed forces. This venture Barzani has undertaken in order to guarantee the political future of his own family, as he is cornered in domestic politics, is likely to bring a series of devastating consequences to the entire Middle East. Therefore, Ankara objects to the independence referendum to avert such a ravage.

This article was first published in The New Turkey.