Relations between Turkey and Iraq had been improving somewhat, with the countries even discussing a joint military operation against Kurdish militants in Iraq. That goodwill is being threatened, however, by the severe sentences Iraq is imposing on Turkish women for involvement with the Islamic State (IS).

When Turkey and Iraq adopted a joint position opposing September's independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, it appeared that they had smoothed over some of the tensions between them. With the Baghdad government having taken control of Kirkuk from the Kurds, Turkey has come to view as vitally important a new pipeline project to bypass Iraqi Kurdistan and the opening of a new major border crossing at Ovakoy as an alternative to the Habur crossing, which the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) controls. Ankara is also advocating joint operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the Qandil Mountains and Sinjar. A recent exchange of visits by the Iraqi and Turkish military chiefs of staff was seen as a possible prelude to such a campaign.

Despite these possible steps forward, Ankara and Baghdad face a renewed strain in relations. The latest headache began when Iraq announced on Feb. 25 that its courts had sentenced more than a dozen Turkish women to death and 10 others to life imprisonment. Despite Turkey's expressed concerns about the women, Baghdad — riding high after forcing IS from Mosul, recovering disputed areas from the KRG and preparing for general elections in May — is apparently in no mood to make concessions simply to please Ankara. 

“The convicted women had confessed during the investigation [to joining] IS, marrying IS members and providing logistical aid to the group,” said Abdul Sattar al-Birakdar, the High Judicial Council spokesman.