Security and economic ties on the agenda
Al-Halbousi holds talks with Turkish foreign minister
BAGHDAD – Mohammed Al-Halbousi, leader of the Sunni Taqadoum (Progress) Party, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks in Baghdad on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations between Iraq and Turkey. The discussion centered on matters of security, economics, and counter-terrorism initiatives.
A statement from Al-Halbousi’s office, obtained by 964media, highlighted that the discussions aimed to bolster “strategic cooperation” across various sectors, aiming to enhance “the security and prosperity of both neighboring countries and the wider region.”
Iraqi Sunni political parties have maintained strong ties with predominantly Sunni Turkey.
Amid speculation about Turkey’s potential launch of a significant military operation against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) guerrillas in the upcoming weeks, Fidan visited Iraq on March 14, accompanied by Turkish Defense Minister Yesar Guler and Intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.
The PKK has been engaged in a protracted conflict with the Turkish state for over four decades, advocating for Kurdish rights.
Halbousi meets Masoud Barzani in Erbil
