On 22 August, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan set out on what was officially described as the most comprehensive visit to Iraq in nearly two decades. The mission aimed to deepen cooperation on water security, development projects, and counter-terrorism. However, multiple sources, including Middle East Eye and Medya Haber TV, have unearthed details conspicuously absent from the official narrative.
Fidan’s visit encompassed a broad spectrum of political factions in Iraq, including some US-sanctioned Iran-aligned Shia groups. “Fidan came with demands that disregarded Iraq’s national sovereignty,” stated Iraqi political observer Najim Qasab, as reported by Medya Haber TV. These demands were not met, particularly Fidan’s public request for Iraq to label the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as a terrorist organisation.
One glaring omission in the official account was Fidan’s meeting with Qais Al-Khazali, leader of the Iran-backed Iraqi Shiite militia. “However, other sit-downs were perhaps more noteworthy, like his first-time meetings with senior Iran-aligned Shia heavyweights, including leaders of US-sanctioned groups. Fidan held talks with Falih al-Fayyadh, head of the Popular Mobilisation Authority (PMA) paramilitary umbrella organisation; Nouri al-Maliki, former prime minister; Hadi al-Amiri, head of the Fatah alliance; and Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq political party and paramilitary group,” highlighted Ragip Soylu of Middle East Eye.
Adding another layer of complexity, while the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) official website published photos of Fidan meeting with KRG President Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil (Hewlêr), this part of the visit was conspicuously absent from the official Turkish account.
Meanwhile, Iraqi commentators have been critical of the diplomatic mission, debunking nearly every claim made by the Turkish side with regards to the visit. “Fidan’s demands were seen as undermining Iraq’s national sovereignty,” added Necim Qesab. Another commentator, Cewad Beydanî, stated, “The Turkish state wants to pit Iraq against the PKK,” as per Medya Haber TV.
The oil dispute between Turkey, Iraq and the KRG adds another layer to the complex diplomatic relations. Turkey is shifting the $1.5 billion payment ordered by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) for unauthorised oil exports onto the KRG. Despite ongoing talks, no agreement has been reached, further complicating Turkey’s recent diplomatic mission to Iraq.
The visit has thus left more questions than answers, particularly concerning the transparency and true intentions behind Turkey’s mission. While the official narrative focuses on bilateral cooperation, the unreported meetings and unmet demands suggest a more complex and perhaps contentious relationship between the trio of Turkey, Iraq and the KRG.
