Iraq calls on Turkish agency to help rebuild cities

By Safiye Karabacak

BAGHDAD

The Iraqi minister of planning called on the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) to help in the reconstruction of Iraqi cities retaken from Daesh.

According to a statement released by the ministry on Tuesday, Salman al-Jumaili and TIKA’s Baghdad coordinator Cuneyt Esmer met in Baghdad.

A memorandum of understanding to be signed between Iraq and TIKA was discussed, the statement added.

The Iraqi minister called on TIKA to help reconstruct Iraqi cities previously held by Daesh.

Esmer said TIKA was ready to provide all kinds of support for the reconstruction projects in Iraq.

On Nov. 17, Interior Minister Qasim al-Araji announced that Daesh's presence in Iraq had effectively come to an end following the “liberation” of the city of Rawa in the western Anbar province.