Somali PM Hamza Abdi Barre leaves for Iraq to Boost Bilateral Ties

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre embarked on a diplomatic journey to Iraq on Thursday, following an invitation from his Iraqi counterpart, Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani.

The visit aims to bolster the ties between the two nations through discussions with Iraqi leaders on a range of topics, including security cooperation and mutual interests.

Prime Minister Barre's visit comes at a time when both Somalia and Iraq are grappling with the challenges posed by terrorism. The high-level talks are expected to focus on ways to enhance cooperation in the security sector, as well as in the fields of economy, culture, education, and health.

"We are here to strengthen the historic ties between Somalia and Iraq, with a particular focus on enhancing security cooperation and addressing mutual interests," said Prime Minister Barre during a meeting with President Abdul Latif Rashid of Iraq in Manama, Bahrain.

The visit is part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral relations between Somalia and Iraq, both of which are members of the Arab League. The Arab League leaders are meeting in Bahrain to discuss a range of issues, including current events in the Red Sea, the threat to navigation in the Arabian Gulf, border problems between Djibouti and Eritrea, the bloody conflict in Sudan, and several other Arab countries.

Prime Minister Barre's visit to Iraq is a significant step towards enhancing the relationship between the two countries, which have long shared common interests in fighting violent extremism. The talks are expected to focus on the interests of the two countries that are beneficial to both peoples, highlighting the importance of cooperation in various sectors.

As the Somali Prime Minister engages in high-level talks with Iraqi leaders, the visit is seen as an opportunity to further strengthen the bonds between the two nations and to address the challenges they face together.

GAROWE ONLINE