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One Kurdish Peace Deal Could Ignite Another Middle Eastern Conflict
oilprice.com · October 20, 2026 · Week 2026-43
Summary
The withdrawal of PKK fighters from Turkey to northern Iraq, part of a peace process, is creating new geopolitical risks. There is concern these militants could join the PJAK, an affiliated group in Iran, potentially escalating conflict along the Iraq-Iran border and destabilizing a critical energy region.
Strategic Implication
The concentration of militant groups in northern Iraq heightens security risks for oil and gas infrastructure and operations in both federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.