Iraq reaches security agreements with Turkey and Iran at UN

On the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi held high-level meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss regional security and stability.

Following discussions with President Erdoğan, Iraq and Turkey issued a joint statement committing to expanded security cooperation and strategic relations. A key agreement involves extending full Iraqi state authority over the Sinjar region and ending the presence of prohibited foreign armed elements there. Additionally, Turkish forces will begin a phased handover of the Ba'ashiqa-Zelikan camp to the Iraqi federal government according to an agreed schedule. Both leaders also emphasized accelerating economic projects, specifically prioritizing the Development Road project.

In a separate meeting with President Pezeshkian, al-Zaidi discussed regional developments and the importance of preventing further escalation in the Middle East. The meeting highlighted Iraq's diplomatic efforts to maintain regional stability and mitigate the security and economic risks posed by ongoing regional tensions.