Iraqi-Turkish relations 1958-1968

Abstract

The features of the relations between Iraq and Turkey were determined by the interests that governed the relations between the two parties since the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923, which has been keen to get rid of everything that hinders its security, especially from the southern side, which is adjacent to Iraq from this side, and which shares the same challenge represented by the Kurdish problem created by the Sykes-Picot Agreement, without a satisfactory solution for the people of that region. Turkey has preferred to improve its relations by participating in several alliances that brought it together with Iraq, such as the Saadabad Pact of 1937 and the Baghdad Pact of 1955, which united the efforts of the two countries in partnership with Iran, Pakistan, Britain and American supervision. After the revolution of July 14, 1958, relations entered a cold period at the beginning, and the matter reached the Turkish military intervention to abort the Iraqi revolution, to an improvement in relations and their strengthening due to Türkiye’s interest and its need for Iraqi oil. The new Iraqi government has treated its relationship with Turkey with respect, making the country's interests its top priority. Despite the Turkish position, Iraq has demonstrated on every occasion its respect for international agreements that call for mutual respect. Moreover, Turkish policy, after changing its policy and excluding the military option, has followed the same path of prioritizing mutual interests with Iraq.