Iraqi leaders met with Syria’s chief of foreign affairs authority, Asaad al-Shaibani, to discuss bilateral relations and anti-terrorism cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to regional stability and security.
During a meeting on Friday with the visiting Syrian official, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani reiterated Iraq’s firm position in respecting the will of the Syrian people.
He emphasised the importance of an inclusive political process that preserves Syria’s diversity and social cohesion, according to a statement from al-Sudani’s media office, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Al-Sudani also underscored Iraq’s unwavering support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting any form of external interference in the country’s internal affairs. He particularly highlighted concerns over the ongoing Israeli occupation of Syrian territories.
The discussions also focused on enhancing coordination between the two nations in combating terrorism, a key step towards long-term regional stability.
The Iraqi Prime Minister stressed the importance of closer cooperation between Baghdad and Damascus to tackle terrorist threats, including those posed by the Islamic State (IS) group.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the necessity of a unified regional approach to counterterrorism.
During his talks with al-Shaibani, Hussein proposed the establishment of a joint operations room comprising Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon to coordinate efforts against IS.
Hussein also highlighted the need for stronger military and intelligence cooperation between Iraq and Syria, noting that comprehensive security collaboration was vital for maintaining regional stability.
The Iraqi Foreign Minister further expressed Iraq’s support for the recent agreement between Syria’s interim government and Syrian Kurdish authorities to integrate all civil and military institutions in the Kurdish-controlled region under the central government in Damascus.
He described this development as a significant step towards strengthening Syria’s national unity and stability.
For his part, al-Shaibani reaffirmed Syria’s readiness to form joint security committees with Iraq, aiming to benefit from the experience of neighbouring countries in combating terrorism.
He also stressed Syria’s commitment to bolstering ties with Iraq, noting that the recent understanding between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces would enhance border security between the two countries.
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