Located in northwestern Nineveh governorate, Shingal is part of the disputed areas, which are claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil.

The two governments reached an agreement on October 9 designed to normalize security in the district, including the removal of armed groups like those affiliated the PKK, and the return of displaced people to the district.

In a press release, the Turkish foreign ministry said it backed the agreement, calling it “important for Iraq’ future.”

Hussein arrived in Turkey on Tuesday in preparation for the visit of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, his first to Iraq’s northern neighbor since taking office.

In addition to his official role, Hussein is also a senior member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which enjoys strong relations with Ankara. Tensions have been high between the PKK and KDP in recent days.

 “We have a clear stance in accordance with the Iraqi constitution that does not let any organizations work inside Iraq against other countries on Iraq’s soil,” Hussein said during a press conference with his Turkish counterpart on December 16.

“We fully support Iraq's territorial integrity and political unity… we would further our cooperation against the PKK terrorist organization,” Cavusoglu said, according to the press release from his ministry.

 “The PKK terrorist organization does not represent the Kurds and above all [it is] the enemy of the Kurds,” he added.

Reporter's code: 50101