Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani embarked on a two-day diplomatic trip to Syria's capital, Damascus, where he met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, DW reports.
This visit is seen as a significant development in the relations between the two countries. Despite Iraq being one of the few nations maintaining ties with Syria, it is the first visit by an Iraqi prime minister in over a decade.
During the visit, al-Sudani and Assad discussed various topics, including combating the drug trade and terrorism, the return of Syrian refugees, and the lifting of Western sanctions. Both leaders emphasized the need for greater coordination in security matters, particularly in border areas. Al-Sudani reiterated Iraq's support for Syrian control over the entire country.
The civil war in Syria, which started in 2011, resulted in Syria's expulsion from the Arab League due to its crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators. However, Syria was readmitted to the bloc in May this year. Al-Sudani's visit reflects a shift in neighboring countries' approach to the Assad regime, moving away from isolationist policies.
One of the challenges discussed during the visit was the issue of terrorism, as remnants of the "Islamic State" (ISIS) continue to carry out deadly attacks despite losing territorial control in both Iraq and Syria. Additionally, Syria is grappling with border control and the flourishing drug trade, particularly the production of amphetamine Captagon.
Al-Sudani highlighted Iraq's efforts to bring Syria back into the Arab League and its natural environment, indicating their commitment to supporting Syria's economy and finding solutions to the consequences of the war. The repatriation of Syrian refugees was also addressed, with a focus on ensuring their safe return once stability is established in their places of residence.
The Syrian conflict has resulted in immense human suffering, with hundreds of thousands of people killed and more than half of the population displaced. Currently, approximately 250,000 Syrian refugees reside in Iraq.
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