On May 8, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) started its withdrawal from Turkey to the PKK camps based in the mountainous borders areas of the Kurdistan region of Iraq. But although the Iraqi government has limited authority over its border with Turkey, which is controlled by the Kurds, the Iraqi government reacted negatively. This led to speculation that Iran, through Iraq, gave a sign that it is against the process. 

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki have been at loggerheads over oil deals between Turkey and the KRG. Moreover, Baghdad has accused Turkey of supporting Iraq’s Sunni politicians that oppose Maliki.

On May 9, the Iraqi government expressed its opposition to the withdrawal of PKK fighters into Iraqi territory. Moreover, Iraq suggested it could threaten the stability of neighboring states of Iran and Syria, where the PKK also has affiliates, such as the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK) in Iran and the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria.

Reuters reported that Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on its website that: "The Iraqi government ... does not accept the entry of armed groups into its territory that could be used to impact the security and stability of Iraq or neighboring states."