Narrative thread · 2 events
Turkey-Iraq energy pact
Symbolic imageWhere things stand
A day after Turkey and Iraq signed their oil and security package, US and Saudi jets struck Popular Mobilisation Forces bases across Iraq, killing at least 20 by the PMF's count. Baghdad calls the raids a sovereignty violation and cancelled a planned Saudi visit.
Turkey depends almost entirely on imported crude, while Iraq holds some of the largest oil reserves in the region and sits directly on its southern border. The Kirkuk field in northern Iraq, operated by BP, is one of the country's oldest and most significant producing areas, and northern Iraqi crude has historically reached world markets through Turkish territory. Relations between Ankara and Baghdad have long combined energy questions with disputes over security along the shared border, which is why the two governments have negotiated on both tracks together. The agreements signed on Tuesday bring these strands into a single package covering energy, security, defence, trade and infrastructure.
Timeline in detail
Thursday, 30 July 2026 · GeopoliticsUS and Saudi jets strike Iraqi PMF bases, at least 20 killed
US and Saudi fighter aircraft struck bases of Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces across several provinces on Wednesday, killing at least 20 fighters according to the PMF. Washington and Riyadh said the strikes answered drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities launched from Iraqi territory; the Iraqi groups deny involvement. Baghdad called the raids a violation of its sovereignty, cancelled a planned visit to Saudi Arabia and convened its National Security Council.
Al Jazeera · The Guardian · Tehran Times
Wednesday, 29 July 2026 · EconomyTurkiye and Iraq sign energy and security agreements
Turkiye and Iraq sign energy and security agreements
Ankara called the energy alliance with Baghdad a historic step: Turkish Petroleum is to take a stake in the BP-run Kirkuk oilfield, which could bring Turkiye one million barrels of Iraqi oil a day, according to Al Jazeera. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi officials also signed agreements on Tuesday deepening cooperation on security, defence, trade and infrastructure.
