Baghdad: Syria Did Not Request Security Guarantees for Summit Attendance
Baghdad will host the 34th Arab League Summit on May 17. While there has been speculation about Syria's involvement, Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari stated that no official requests or communication were received from Damascus regarding security arrangements for Al-Sharaa. He emphasized that preparations to secure all delegations, including the Syrian president, are complete, and that the summit will proceed without road closures or curfews.
On border security, Al-Shammari noted that the situation is stable, though parts of the Iraqi-Syrian border are under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). He added that Iraq has increased its military presence near the Al-Qaim border crossing, where no Syrian forces are present, and that there is currently no direct security coordination between the two countries' interior ministries.
Politically, the Coordination Framework — a coalition of Shiite political forces — issued a unified statement supporting the summit, stressing the need to prioritize national interests amid regional challenges. The group praised efforts to elevate Iraq's regional role through the successful hosting of the event.
Meanwhile, prominent Shiite leader Ammar Al-Hakim called for engagement with Syria's new leadership, citing Iraq's strategic interests. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani echoed this sentiment, stating in a recent interview that Iraq aims not just to host, but to lead in offering solutions to Middle Eastern crises.
Analysts suggest that Iraq's outreach to Syria has stirred internal political tensions, potentially reshaping alliances ahead of the national elections scheduled for November 2025.
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