Iraq & Syria Strengthen Ties & Commit To Anti-Terrorism Cooperation

Iraqi officials and Syria’s chief of foreign affairs, Asaad al-Shaibani, met to discuss bilateral relations and strategies for fighting terrorism.

The talks, which took place on Friday, emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts between the two nations in combating terrorist groups like ISIS and ensuring long-term regional stability.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq’s support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing the importance of a political process that includes all Syrian factions.

He emphasized Iraq’s respect for the will of the Syrian people and rejected foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli occupation of parts of Syrian territory.

Focus On Joint Security & Military Coordination

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed enhancing joint military and intelligence operations to combat ISIS.

He further proposed forming an operations room composed of officials from Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon to coordinate efforts against the terrorist group.

This collaborative approach, Hussein emphasized, is crucial for long-term security and stability in the region.

Moreover, such regional cooperation would strengthen the ability of these nations to effectively counteract terrorism and maintain peace across their borders.

Syria’s Political Will To Strengthen Relations

Al-Shaibani expressed Syria’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Iraq, including the formation of joint security committees.

He highlighted Syria’s political commitment to enhancing bilateral ties, particularly through the recent understanding between the Syrian government and Kurdish forces.

The agreement aims to strengthen control over the border between Iraq and Syria, an essential factor in preventing cross-border terrorism.

Support For Syria-Kurdish Agreement

Iraq also expressed its support for the breakthrough pact between Syria’s interim government and Syrian Kurdish forces, aiming to merge civil and military institutions in Syria’s Kurdish-controlled region under the central government in Damascus.

This development is seen as an important step toward stabilizing the region and curbing the influence of terrorist groups.

The discussions underscored the need for a unified approach to combating terrorism and ensuring the long-term security of both Iraq and Syria.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together to address the ongoing challenges in the region and stressed the importance of regional cooperation in achieving peace and stability.

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