Is Turkey trying to attract Shiite Leaders in Iraq Whose status has declined with Iran?
After realizing the futility of relying on Sunni leaders who only play secondary and limited roles in shaping and implementing Iraqi policies, Turkey‘s efforts to expand its influence in Iraq are undergoing a significant shift towards building a broad network of relationships with traditionally influential Shiite leaders within Iran’s loyalty camp.
Ankara benefits from the strained relationship between Tehran and some of its followers in Iraq, whose value has diminished for several reasons. Among these reasons is their deviation from the roles assigned to them and their involvement in conflicts against other Shiite factions. Additionally, their popularity has declined on the Iraqi street, meaning a reduction in their ability to lead and control, according to an analytical report published by the London-based “Al-Arab” newspaper.
The report cites the example of Qais al-Khazali, the leader of the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq militia, whose relationship with Iran is reportedly undergoing an unprecedented rift. This is evidenced by the recent dispute between him and one of the Iraqi Shiite militias affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps due to Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq’s refusal to participate in attacking US forces in Syria and Iraq.
Al-Khazali was absent from a series of meetings held by Iranian Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri during his visit to Iraq. Instead, he appeared in a meeting with Turkish Ambassador Ali Riza Gunay. During this meeting, al-Khazali focused on the most important and sensitive security issues for the Turks, specifically the presence of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants on Iraqi soil.
During the reception with Gunay in his office in Baghdad, al-Khazali spoke in the language of the Iraqi government, in which his faction is already involved. He emphasized to the Turkish ambassador “the readiness of the Iraqi government to assume its constitutional responsibilities by preventing the use of Iraqi territory to threaten neighboring countries or launch attacks against them.” He clarified that “Iraq follows a policy of balance in its relations with its regional and international surroundings, ensuring its stability and realizing the aspirations of its people.”
The balance in Iraq’s foreign policy means developing relations with regional countries to reduce dependence on the relationship with Iran. Turkey is working to achieve this in practice by focusing its moves on the Iraqi Shiite political circles.
Al-Khazali, according to a statement from his office, emphasized the “importance of strengthening bilateral relations in managing all joint files, especially in economic areas, based on a realistic vision, away from any interventions by other parties.” The Turkish ambassador expressed his gratitude for al-Khazali’s interest in consolidating Iraqi-Turkish relations according to visions that serve the interests of both countries. He described the role of the leader of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq as “central and important in the Iraqi state,” reflecting his serious national steps to enhance Iraq’s leading role in the region and the world.
Based on this, Turkey does not exclude from its goals competition with Iran for influence in the southern regions of Iraq, the primary homeland of the Iraqi Shiite component. This was reflected in recent visits by Turkish Ambassador Gunay, accompanied by a delegation of businessmen, to several provinces in southern Iraq.
