Syria’s Interim Foreign Minister Advocates for Security Cooperation During Iraq Visit
Syria’s interim foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, visited Iraq to discuss collaboration against IS remnants, coinciding with the announcement of a senior IS leader’s death. Relations between Syria and Iraq remain complicated post-Assad’s ousting, given Iraq’s Shiite majority and alliances with the US and Iran. Baghdad called for cooperation regarding security and investigations into recent mass killings of civilians in Syria.
The interim foreign minister of Syria, Asaad al-Shaibani, visited Baghdad on Friday to discuss enhancing cooperation with Iraq in combating remnants of the Islamic State (IS) group. This visit coincided with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s announcement regarding the death of a senior IS leader, indicating the urgent need for security collaboration between the two nations. This marks Shaibani’s first trip to Iraq since the Islamist alliance removed Bashar al-Assad from power in December.
The relationship between Syria and Iraq has evolved since the fall of Assad. Although Iraq’s government supported Assad during the civil war, its current Shiite majority seeks to maintain ties with both the United States and Iran, complicating dynamics further. While Assad’s regime relied on support from Russia, Iran, and Lebanese Hezbollah, Iraqi armed groups also played a role in defending his regime throughout the protracted conflict.
During his visit, Shaibani met Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and emphasized the importance of shared security, stating, “Security is a shared responsibility”. He articulated readiness to bolster joint efforts against IS along their mutual border, underlining that terrorism transcends national boundaries.
Prime Minister al-Sudani highlighted that the IS leader killed by Iraqi forces, Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rufayi, was regarded as a significant terrorist threat, a figure with US sanctions against him in 2023. The details of Rufayi’s death were not disclosed, but it was acknowledged that the operation was carried out with assistance from the US-led anti-jihadist coalition.
Foreign Minister Hussein expressed hope for results from an inquiry initiated by Syria’s authorities concerning the mass killings of Alawite civilians for which significant concern was voiced. Baghdad condemned recent violence against at least 1,383 civilians in Syria and is conducting investigations into incidents involving Syrian nationals in Iraq, amid rising tensions fueled by pro-Iran groups.
The visit of Syria’s interim foreign minister to Iraq underscores a potential shift in regional security cooperation aimed at countering IS remnants. This diplomatic encounter reflects intricate geopolitical relationships in the context of historical alliances and rising sectarian tensions. Both nations are navigating a complex landscape defined by shared security interests and the repercussions of past conflicts.
Original Source: www.france24.com
