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Türkiye's Defense Ministry said security cooperation with Iraq is continuing "uninterrupted" through joint mechanisms on border security and counterterrorism.
It called the partnership one of the key elements behind Ankara's success against terrorism, days after Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's visit to Türkiye produced a set of new agreements.
The comments, made in response to questions after the ministry's weekly briefing in Ankara, came as spokesman Rear Adm. Zeki Akturk also announced four more PKK surrenders, Türkiye's takeover of NATO's Baltic air policing mission and next week's Supreme Military Council (YAS) meeting.
"The Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's visit to our country, the meetings hosted by our President and the agreements subsequently signed are important for regional stability and trust," the ministry said in response to journalists' questions on ties with Baghdad.
"The cooperation developed between Türkiye and Iraq in recent years has been one of the important elements of the success achieved in the fight against terrorism. Security cooperation with Iraq continues uninterrupted. Joint mechanisms are being operated, and coordination on border security and counterterrorism is being maintained with determination," it said.
The ministry recalled that previous bilateral meetings produced agreement on increasing coordination in border security, counterterrorism and the defense industry, adding that while recent contacts have foregrounded economy and energy cooperation, the security mechanisms established earlier "continue to function effectively."
"The strengthening of cooperation between Türkiye and Iraq is of great importance not only for regional stability but also for the security and welfare of the Iraqi Turkmens," the ministry said.
Akturk said four more terrorist organization PKK members surrendered over the past week as the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) continued detecting and destroying caves, shelters, bunkers, mines and improvised explosives in operation zones.
Under continuous border security operations, 468 people attempting to cross Türkiye's borders illegally, four of them terrorist organization members, were caught over the week, while 1,102 were blocked before crossing, he said.
Since Jan. 1, 6,953 people have been caught attempting illegal crossings, and 43,878 have been blocked.
Türkiye will take over NATO's Enhanced Air Policing mission from Portugal at a handover ceremony Friday, with five Turkish F-16s and personnel already deployed to Estonia's Amari Air Base for the Aug. 1-Nov. 30 rotation, Akturk said.
The jets will fly 24/7 alert reaction duty contributing to the security of Baltic airspace under NATO's joint air defense.
Akturk also marked the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' (TRNC) Aug. 1 Communal Resistance Day, reaffirming that a lasting settlement on the island is possible "only through a two-state solution model on the basis of sovereign equality and equal international status," and that Türkiye will keep supporting Turkish Cypriots' security and legitimate rights under the Guarantee and Alliance treaties.
On the Middle East, Akturk said, "Israel, responsible for the instability in the region, continues its attacks on Lebanon and Palestine by continuing to violate the ceasefire provisions," calling on Israeli officials to avoid provocative statements and actions and describing provocative moves against holy sites in Jerusalem as unacceptable.
The 2026 Supreme Military Council, which will shape the Turkish Armed Forces' command structure, will convene next week under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Complex, with decisions announced after his approval, Akturk said.
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