"Turkey and Iraq Strengthen Security Ties, Ban PKK, and Pursue Trade Partnership"

Iraq's National Security Council has banned the PKK, a group fighting for Kurdish self-rule in Turkey, following a joint security meeting with Turkey. The move marks a significant shift in their relationship as they also agreed to establish joint committees to address counterterrorism, trade, agriculture, energy, water, health, and transportation. This decision comes ahead of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's upcoming visit to Iraq in April, signifying a strengthening of ties between the two countries.