Iraq ‘unaware’ of proposed visit by Syria FM to Baghdad

Syria’s new Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani will visit Baghdad soon following an official invitation from Iraq, although the exact date remains undecided. Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Shaibani confirmed that he had received the invitation and expressed intent to discuss border security and economic cooperation.

An Iraqi foreign ministry source told Erbil-based The New Region that Shaibani’s visit is “important for Iraq” to enhance cooperation on security, the economy and other mutual interests. However, Mukhtar Al-Moussawi from Iraq’s Foreign Relations Committee told Shafaq News Agency, “The committee was unaware of the invitation to Minister Al-Shaibani, until his public statement.” He warned that the visit would not be welcomed if driven by external pressure.

Moussawi added that if the visit serves Iraq’s national interests, it would be viewed more positively, “such as addressing the fate of the 10,000 missing Iraqis in the Al-Hol camp, including those detained in Syrian prisons.”

The visit would mark the first by Syria’s transitional government to Iraq since the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s government in December last year. Syria’s interim President, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, has sought regional engagement and urged the lifting of international sanctions. While Baghdad, closely aligned with Iran, supported Assad, it has been cautious in acknowledging the new authorities in Damascus.

Last month, a government source told Shafaq News that Al-Shaibani was expected to visit Iraq. It has also been reported that it remains unclear as to whether Al-Sharaa will attend the upcoming Arab summit in Baghdad scheduled for late April.

However, Iraqi intelligence chief Hamid Al-Shatri’s visit to Damascus in late December signalled tentative diplomatic re-engagement.

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