Syria’s interim foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, visited Iraq to reinforce collaborative efforts against remnants of the Islamic State. His visit coincided with the announcement of a senior IS leader’s death by Iraqi forces. Relations between Syria and Iraq have become complex post the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Concerns over regional security and killings of civilians, particularly the Alawites, were addressed during the meeting with Iraqi officials.
Syria’s interim foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, visited Baghdad to enhance cooperation with Iraq regarding the containment of Islamic State remnants. This visit coincided with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s announcement of the successful elimination of a high-ranking IS leader. Shaibani’s visit marked a significant moment since the fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, whose regime had close ties with the Iraqi government.
The geopolitical landscape between Syria and Iraq has shifted post-Assad’s ousting, complicating bilateral relations. Iraq’s Shiite Muslim majority maintains strategic ties with both the United States and Iran, while Assad’s support came from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. Iraqi militias were involved in defending Assad’s rule against rebels, who are predominantly Sunni and opposed to his regime.
During his visit, Shaibani met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, expressing the need for collaborative security efforts. Shaibani emphasized that “security is a shared responsibility” and that both nations must unify against Daesh. He acknowledged that terrorism transcends borders.
Prime Minister al-Sudani confirmed the killing of Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rufayi, an influential IS leader involved in the group’s operations in Iraq and Syria. Al-Rufayi was under US sanctions, highlighting his role as one of the most dangerous terrorists. The operation was conducted with US-led coalition support, although the specific timing of the action was not disclosed.
During the press conference, Hussein raised concerns regarding the mass killings of civilians, particularly targeting the Alawite minority in Syria. He conveyed hopes for effective investigations by Syria’s new authorities to foster civil peace. Following the massacre that claimed 1,383 lives, predominantly Alawite, Baghdad has condemned the violence and is probing into threats made against Syrian workers in Iraq.
In response to these attacks, pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq have mounted an online campaign against Syrians related to the killings. Iraqi security forces are actively detaining individuals linked to promoting terrorism and supporting these mass killings. Meanwhile, Syria’s foreign ministry has called for measures to safeguard the security of Syrians living in Iraq.
The recent meeting between Syria’s interim foreign minister and Iraqi officials underscores a critical shift towards cooperation in combating terrorism, specifically the remnants of the Islamic State group. Nevertheless, the complex political ties shaped by historical alliances between Syria and Iraq complicate this collaboration. Urgent calls for investigations into violence against the Alawite minority reflect deeper issues impacting civil relations and security in the region.
Original Source: www.france24.com
