Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani held a significant phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, during which the two leaders discussed an array of topics aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between their nations. One of the pivotal announcements to emerge from their conversation was President Macron's upcoming visit to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, which was described as imminent.

The extensive dialogue between Prime Minister al-Sudani and President Macron encompassed a wide range of areas for potential collaboration, including the fields of economy, culture, military, and security. Both leaders underscored the vital importance of implementing the partnership agreements previously inked between Baghdad and Paris, emphasizing their commitment to fostering comprehensive cooperation.

While the purpose and precise timing of President Macron's impending visit to Baghdad have not been disclosed, it was characterized as a "significant step in enhancing diplomatic ties" by a statement issued by Prime Minister al-Sudani's office.

This forthcoming visit gains additional significance in light of recent events. Just on Tuesday, President Macron announced the tragic loss of a French air force paratrooper in Iraq. The paratrooper had been assisting the Iraqi army in an operation against the Islamic State (ISIS), underscoring France's ongoing commitment to the fight against terrorism in the region. This marks the third French soldier killed in Iraq in a little over a week.

Prime Minister al-Sudani expressed his condolences to President Macron during their phone conversation, acknowledging the sacrifice made by the French military in the pursuit of peace and security in Iraq.

President Macron's forthcoming visit builds upon a history of engagement between France and Iraq. In December 2022, Macron attended the second edition of the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership in Jordan. This conference aimed to provide support for Iraq's stability and security, a testament to France's commitment to the region's well-being. In the same month, Prime Minister al-Sudani visited the French capital, Paris, where he signed a series of strategic agreements with President Macron, designed to further Iraq's cooperation with France across various sectors.

France's role in the fight against terrorism in Iraq is also notable. As a core member of the US-led global coalition against ISIS, France has been instrumental in training approximately 10,000 Iraqi soldiers, including Kurdish Peshmerga forces. Recently, during a visit to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, Minister of the French Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu, alongside Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Muhammad al-Abbasi, announced plans for 80 French trainers to conduct a two-year training course for approximately 2,100 Iraqi soldiers, equivalent to five "desert battalions."

As President Macron prepares to visit Baghdad in the near future, expectations are high for the visit to solidify and expand the multifaceted partnership between France and Iraq, while addressing the shared challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the region.