Australia PM makes surprise visit to Iraq

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made an unannounced visit to Baghdad Saturday and held talks with his Iraqi counterpart on the fight against ISIS, the premier’s office said.

Australia is part of a U.S.-led coalition carrying out air strikes against ISIS and providing training to Iraqi forces.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s office said he and Turnbull discussed the war against ISIS, strengthening relations between the two countries as well as economic and agricultural cooperation.

Abadi welcomed Australia’s support against ISIS, his office said.

Australia has carried out strikes against ISIS and deployed trainers to Iraq, but this week rejected a request from U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter for further contributions, saying current efforts are sufficient and will continue.

Turnbull is travelling to Washington for a two-day visit beginning Monday that will include a major foreign policy address and meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama.

Talks are likely on the fight against ISIS and ratification of the 12-nation trans-Pacific trade deal.

Canberra has been increasingly concerned about the flow of fighters to Iraq and Syria to join extremist groups including ISIS.

It passed a law last month to strip dual nationals who fight with banned groups of their citizenship if they fight with banned groups oversees or are convicted of terrorism offences.

ISIS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad last year and also holds significant territory in Syria.

Iraqi forces initially performed poorly against the militants, but have regained ground with the support of international air strikes.