Turkey, Iraq sign deal on migration, ‘voluntary’ returns

The Turkish Interior Ministry has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Iraq aimed at facilitating the “voluntary return” of Iraqi citizens currently living in Turkey, the pro-government Daily Sabah reported on Thursday.

The agreement, signed by Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and Iraqi Minister of Migration and Displacement Evan Faiq Jabro, seeks to strengthen cooperation between the two countries to manage migration.

“As part of this memorandum, our goal is to take a more sustainable and secure approach to migration management, and work together to combat irregular migration,” Yerlikaya said in a post on X.

The deal will allow Iraqi nationals residing in Turkey to “voluntarily” return to Iraq, while also enhancing efforts to prevent illegal migration.

Many Iraqis fled their country in 2014 when the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant  (ISIL) took control of several provinces, including Mosul. Some of these displaced people later moved to Syria and eventually Turkey, especially after Turkey’s 2019 military operation in northern Syria.

Turkey has long been a major destination for migrants, hosting over 4.4 million foreign residents, including more than 3.1 million Syrians under temporary protection. It also grants international protection to over 228,000 people and provides residence permits to more than 1.1 million.

Increasing numbers of undocumented migrants overstay their legal limits in the country. Afghans and Syrians make up the largest portion of intercepted migrants, followed by individuals from Iraq, Iran, Egypt and Sudan.