Monitor

Iraq’s PM to Turkish FM: Iraq ‘against turning Syria into a battlefield’

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met Sunday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss bilateral relations, regional stability, and key developments in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon, according to a statement from Al-Sudani’s media office.

“He reaffirmed Iraq’s stance against turning Syria into a battlefield, highlighting the broader implications of stabilizing Syria on the entire region,” the statement read.

Statement from PM Al-Sudani’s media office:

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Sunday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Mr. Hakan Fidan, to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries and address several regional and international issues of mutual concern, particularly developments in the region and the situation in Syria.

The meeting covered the latest updates in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the ceasefire agreements.

Discussions also focused on the need for unified efforts among regional countries to support stability. In this context, Prime Minister Al-Sudani reiterated Iraq’s readiness to coordinate with neighboring countries, especially Türkiye, regarding ongoing regional developments. He reaffirmed Iraq’s stance against turning Syria into a battlefield, highlighting the broader implications of stabilizing Syria on the entire region.

Regarding bilateral cooperation, Prime Minister Al-Sudani emphasized the government’s commitment to following up on agreements signed during his visit to Ankara in November and President Erdogan’s visit to Baghdad in April of last year.

For his part, Minister Fidan conveyed the greetings of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Prime Minister Al-Sudani and expressed Türkiye’s keenness to maintain close coordination with Iraq on regional developments. He also emphasized Türkiye’s interest in advancing bilateral relations, building on the mutual visits of the two leaders.

Minister Fidan reaffirmed Türkiye’s serious commitment to the Strategic Development Road project and cooperation based on the memorandums of understanding signed between the two countries in areas such as energy, education, trade, banking, and other sectors.