IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — The Iraqi government announced Tuesday an official ban on a Kurdish separatist group which has been engaged in in a long-running conflict with Turkey.
Turkey has been seeking greater cooperation from Baghdad in its fight against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, a Kurdish separatist group that has waged an insurgency against Turkey since the 1980s and is banned there.
The order issued July 14 and published Tuesday by the Department of Administrative Affairs at the Iraqi Parliament said Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had issued instructions for the PKK to be described as the “banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party” in all official correspondence. It was the clearest statement from the Iraqi government on the group’s status to date.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Iraq in April for the first time in more than a decade. At the time, Erdogan said he and Sudani had “consulted on the joint steps we can take against the PKK terrorist organization and its extensions, which target Turkey from Iraqi territory.”
Iraq has not followed Turkey's lead in designating the PKK a terrorist group but has put it on its list of banned organizations.
The PKK has maintained bases in northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region. In recent months, Turkey has built up its troops in northern Iraq and has threatened an offensive to clear PKK forces from the border area.
Turkey often launches strikes against targets in Syria and Iraq that it believes to be affiliated with the PKK. Baghdad has complained that the strikes are a breach of its sovereignty, but earlier this year, the two governments issued a joint statement saying that the "PKK organization represents a security threat to both Turkey and Iraq.”
The Turkish defense ministry said Tuesday that four suspected PKK militants were killed in an air offensive in northern Iraq, including one who was allegedly on a list of militants most wanted by Turkey.
The ministry identified the man as Yusuf Kalkan and said he was wanted for membership in a terror organization as well as for founding and directing a terror group.
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Associated Press staff writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara contributed to this report.
FILE - Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, right, and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attend a meeting to sign mutual agreements in Baghdad, on April 22, 2024. The Iraqi government announced Tuesday July 23, 2024 an official ban on a Kurdish separatist group which has been engaged in a long-running conflict with Turkey. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/Pool Photo via AP, File)
MIAMI (AP) — Otto López was a triple shy of the cycle, Connor Norby homered and drove in three runs, and the Miami Marlins snapped NL East-leading Philadelphia’s six-game winning streak with a 9-5 victory over the Phillies on Saturday.
Jonah Bride also homered, while Xavier Edwards and Nick Fortes had two hits each for the Marlins, who had 14 hits a day after losing 16-2 to the Phillies.
John McMillon (2-1) pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief for the win.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola (12-7) was lifted after he allowed five runs and nine hits over 4 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out five. It was his shortest start since allowing eight runs and 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings against Boston on June 13.
Bride homered to lead off the fifth and put Miami ahead 5-3 and Jesús Sánchez added an RBI single in the sixth.
The Marlins padded their lead with a three-run seventh against former starter Taijuan Walker. López hit a solo homer over the center field wall in the inning and two runs scored on shortstop Trea Turner's throwing error.
Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber hit a tying sacrifice fly in the third inning for his 93rd RBI of the season.
Norby hit a two-run homer in the first to put Miami ahead 2-1.
Marlins starter Darren McCaughan allowed three runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out four.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Phillies: Manager Rob Thomson said catcher J.T. Realmuto has some swelling but will remain with the club as he recovers from a left knee contusion sustained Friday. The Phillies selected the contract of catcher Aramis Garcia from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and designated RHP Nick Nelson for assignment.
Marlins: Placed RHP Max Meyer (right shoulder bursitis) and RHP Calvin Faucher (right shoulder impingement) on the 15-day injured list and OF Derek Hill (right shoulder impingement) on the 10-day injured list. ... LHP Andrew Nardi (left elbow muscle) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
UP NEXT
RHP Seth Johnson will make his major league debut when he starts the series finale for the Phillies on Sunday. The Marlins have not announced a starter but manager Skip Schumaker said RHP Edward Cabrera could get the nod when he cleared all tests after he withdrew from his scheduled start Friday because of migraine-like symptoms.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Darren McCaughan (68) aims a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott (5) hits a single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber (12) slides into second base as Miami Marlins second baseman Otto Lopez (61) is late with the tag during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Miami Marlins' Connor Norby is congratulated by his teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
