Iraqi Prime Minister Visits Türkiye to Discuss Energy and Security

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Al-Zaidi arrived in Ankara, Türkiye, on July 28 for his first official visit since taking office in May. Following an invitation from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Al-Zaidi held one-on-one and delegation-level talks at the Presidential Complex in Beştepe.

The leaders focused on bilateral cooperation regarding water management, trade, investment, and regional security. A primary objective of the discussions is the potential construction of an oil pipeline connecting Basra and Haditha in Iraq to Syria's Baniyas port and Türkiye's Ceyhan port, an effort intended to reduce Iraq's reliance on Gulf shipping routes.

This diplomatic effort occurs as Türkiye seeks to resolve its conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party. Al-Zaidi has pledged to disarm non-state armed groups within Iraq by the end of September. Following the conclusion of the Ankara meetings, the Prime Minister is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday to address tensions involving alleged drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory.