President Erdogan in Iraq after 13 years: Important issues on the table

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made an official visit to Iraq after a 13-year hiatus. Erdogan was welcomed with an official ceremony at Baghdad International Airport by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, along with other officials. Following the official ceremony, Erdogan met with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid.

During the meeting, officials reported that discussions encompassed Türkiye-Iraq bilateral relations, Israel's aggression against Gaza, regional and global challenges, and the ongoing fight against terrorism. President Erdogan underscored the ongoing efforts to halt Israeli oppression in Gaza and stressed the imperative for unity among Muslim nations in addressing this issue.

At the meeting, President Erdogan stated that the normalization of relations between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government and the restoration of Turkmens to the status they deserve are of vital importance for the stability of Iraq.

Türkiye-Iraq cooperation against PKK

Erdogan expressed Türkiye's expectations from Iraq regarding the fight against the terrorist organization PKK and underlined that Iraq must eliminate all forms of terrorism. The PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S. and the EU, has killed more than 40,000 people, including women, children and infants, during its nearly 40-year campaign of terror against Türkiye. PKK militants often seek refuge in northern Iraq, close to the Turkish border, from where they plan and carry out attacks on Turkish territory.

Source: Newsroom