Iraqi PM Hails Development Road as Key to Regional Connectivity

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Thursday described the Turkey-Iraq-led Development Road Project as one of the most transformative infrastructure initiatives in the Middle East, emphasizing its potential to reshape regional connectivity and economic integration.

Speaking during an interview with the Anadolu Agency, Sudani said the project would serve as a strategic corridor linking the region's economies. “The Development Road is one of the most important initiatives in the Middle East,” he said, highlighting its role in uniting countries through trade and transport.

The Development Road will stretch approximately 1,200 kilometers (745 miles), connecting Iraq’s southern Grand Faw Port—set to become the largest port in the Middle East—to Turkey via a modern network of railways, highways, and logistics hubs. The project is expected to enhance trade between Asia and Europe through Iraq and Turkey, establishing a new economic lifeline for the region.

Sudani also underscored Iraq's aspiration to deepen ties with Turkey as a means of fostering stability across the broader region. “We want Turkey-Iraq ties to be part of the regional stability equation,” he stated, citing the geopolitical importance of strong cooperation between the neighboring countries.

During his remarks, the Iraqi Prime Minister also addressed broader regional developments, issuing a stern warning against escalating tensions in the Middle East. He criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing his government of inflaming the conflict. “The Netanyahu government is trying to drag the region into the flames of war,” Sudani said.

Sudani’s visit and remarks come amid renewed efforts by Baghdad and Ankara to bolster diplomatic and economic cooperation, with the Development Road Project at the heart of their shared agenda.