Erdoğan hosts Iraqi Kurdish PM Masrour Barzani in Ankara PHOTO

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has welcomed Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government, for a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on January 7.

The meeting, which was attended by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, comes as part of Barzani's ongoing visit to Türkiye, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media. Details of the discussions have not been disclosed yet.

The meeting follows a separate session between Fidan and Barzani earlier in the day. The visit coincides with escalating tensions in the region, particularly regarding the ongoing security threat posed by terrorist groups such as the PKK and its Syrian affiliate, the YPG.

In a related development, President Erdoğan, during a Cabinet meeting on January 6, reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to safeguarding its national security, warning that the country would take decisive action against any threats. Referring to the well-known Turkish phrase, "I can come suddenly one night," Erdoğan stated that Turkish military forces could carry out surprise strikes on terrorist targets, reiterating the nation's resolve in its counterterrorism operations.

Erdoğan also highlighted the shifting political landscape in Syria following the toppling of Bashar al-Assad, reiterating Türkiye’s stance on a unified Syria. He stressed that Türkiye would not tolerate any fragmentation of Syria and would take necessary measures to protect its national security should any risks emerge. "We will not accept Syria being divided under any pretext," Erdogan said, adding that Türkiye had the means to take action if needed.

The Turkish president's remarks underscore the nation's continued focus on regional stability, its ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, and its role in shaping the future of Syria.

By Aghakazim Guliyev