In an official statement, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Bilateral Relations , Amb. Hussein Muhammad Bahr Al-Ulum, said Fidan’s Feb. 9 interview with CNN Turk contained remarks Iraq considers "an offense to friendly relations” and "interference in Iraqi internal affairs.” During the televised interview, the Turkish foreign minister questioned how "a sovereign state” could permit the PKK to operate in areas including Sinjar, Makhmour and Qandil, and suggested that regional developments could lead to changes on the Iraqi front.

Bahr Al-Ulum emphasized that Iraq is "a state of institutions with a democratic constitutional political system” and that the Sinjar file is "a purely national matter” handled under Iraqi sovereignty. "We reject any external interference to impose solutions or to use this file for political or military influence,” he told the Turkish envoy, according to the ministry.

The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union, has maintained a foothold in northern Iraq for years, prompting periodic Turkish air and ground operations.

Ambassador Inan responded that the foreign minister’s comments were "misunderstood due to incorrect translation” and concerned PKK elements only. He reiterated Ankara’s respect for Iraq’s sovereignty and said he would relay Baghdad’s objections to Turkish leadership.