Egypt Vows Unwavering Support for Iraq's Unity and Sovereignty Amidst Regional Tensions

Cairo, October 17, 2026 – Egypt has reiterated its steadfast commitment to supporting Iraq’s unity, sovereignty, and its national institutions. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty affirmed on Saturday that Egypt also backs the principle of consolidating all weapons under state control. These remarks were made during a significant meeting with Ammar al-Hakim, the leader of Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement, on the sidelines of the 52nd session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers held in Baghdad.

Nader Zaki, spokesperson for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the profound and historic fraternal ties that bind Egypt and Iraq. He welcomed al-Hakim’s recent visit to Cairo, during which he held discussions with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Zaki commended al-Hakim’s contributions to fostering stability and political consensus within Iraq.

Looking ahead, Abdelatty expressed his anticipation for a visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi to Cairo on November 23. This visit is slated to host the fourth session of the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee, an important forum aimed at bolstering economic and trade cooperation. The committee will also focus on expanding the involvement of Egyptian companies in Iraq’s crucial development and reconstruction initiatives.

Furthermore, Abdelatty emphasized the urgency of accelerating coordination among the technical committees operating under the trilateral cooperation mechanism, which includes Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan. This collaborative effort is designed to advance priority joint projects that benefit all three nations.

The discussions also encompassed pressing regional developments. Minister Abdelatty stressed the critical importance of safeguarding Iraq from the adverse effects of escalating regional tensions. Both sides engaged in a comprehensive exchange of views on the situations in Syria and Yemen, as well as on critical issues of maritime security and the freedom of navigation, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

A shared conclusion from the meeting was the imperative to de-escalate tensions, prioritize political and diplomatic solutions to conflicts, and maintain robust Egyptian-Iraqi coordination to bolster regional security and stability.