Peregraf- Turkey has lifted its air embargo on Sulaymaniyah International Airport, reopening its airspace to flights following a meeting between Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara today.
The Kurdistan Regional Presidency welcomed the decision, expressing gratitude to Erdogan for allowing Turkish Airlines flights to Sulaymaniyah to resume. “This decision comes within the framework of the strong relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Republic of Turkey, which we are sure will help to further expand mutual cooperation in the interest of both sides and benefit our citizens in Sulaymaniyah,” the Kurdistan Region Presidency said in a statement.
The move marks a significant shift after more than two years of restrictions. On October 6, Sulaymaniyah Airport’s media office had announced that Turkey had extended the ban for another three months, keeping it in place until January 6, 2026. The embargo was first imposed on April 3, 2023, with Ankara citing security concerns over alleged activities by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the region. Initially intended to last three months, the restriction was repeatedly extended.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry had previously defended the ban, alleging that PKK activities in Sulaymaniyah had “increased and infiltrated the airport, threatening aviation security.” However, officials in Sulaymaniyah rejected these claims, insisting that the airport is a civilian facility and that there is no evidence to support Ankara’s justification.
The reopening of Turkish airspace to Sulaymaniyah is expected to ease travel difficulties for thousands of passengers and could help improve strained relations between Ankara and authorities in Sulaymaniyah.