Iraqi PM meets Assad in Damascus

The two-day visit is the first by an Iraqi premier to Syria since before the start of the war

In the first visit by an Iraqi prime minister to Syria since before the start of the US-backed war in 2011, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visited Damascus on 16 July for a two-day visit, where he met and held talks with the country’s president Bashar al-Assad.

“The visit comes upon an invitation from the Syrian President more than a month ago,” Iraqi government spokesman Basim al-Awadi said.

The talks focused on terrorism, border security, battling drug smuggling, and bilateral relations between the two countries.

“The talks included ways to strengthen cooperation and partnership between the two countries and develop them, as well as … prospects for expanding exchange in the fields of economy, transport, trade, tourism, water, and coping with the effects of climate change,” Sudani’s office said in a statement carried by Iraqi News Agency (INA).

The two leaders also discussed “joint security coordination in the field of fighting terrorism and strengthening the security of the two countries,” the statement added. While ISIS has been largely defeated in the two countries, the group continues to operate in small pockets in both Iraq and Syria, posing a continued security threat through sporadic hit-and-run and ambush-type attacks.

According to Awadi, the production and smuggling of Captagon amphetamine pills are among “the most important topics during the visit,” as recent years have seen increased smuggling across the borders.

Sudani and Assad also discussed confronting tough droughts, caused mainly by decreased levels of rain, climate change, and the building of dams by Turkiye.

“We need to cooperate to get our fair share of water,” Sudani said, according to Reuters.

The visit comes in the aftermath of Syria’s return to the Arab League in May after over a decade of suspension.

Following the start of Washington’s regime change war against the country, Baghdad did not sever relations with Damascus, and has been a leading voice calling for its reintegration into the regional fold.

“Brotherly Iraq stood by Syria during the terrorist war, and rejected all justifications for aggression against us,” Assad said during a joint press conference with Sudani.

During the conference, Sudani’s hailed Syria’s resilience in confronting threats and challenges posed by the war over the years.

He also called for the immediate lifting of destructive western sanctions against Syria.