logo
Iraqi delegation headed by al-Shatri meets with al-Sharaa in Syria

Iraqi delegation headed by al-Shatri meets with al-Sharaa in Syria

Iraqi News25-04-2025

Baghdad-INA
The Iraqi delegation, which visited Damascus on Friday at the direction of the Prime Minister, met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and the administration responsible for the holy shrines in Syria.
A senior source within the Iraqi delegation told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "the Iraqi delegation, headed by the head of the Intelligence Service, Hamid al-Shatri, met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and a number of government officials. They discussed cooperation in the field of combating terrorism, strengthening arrangements related to securing the shared border strip and strengthening them against any potential violations or threats, expanding trade opportunities, and discussing the possibility of rehabilitating the Iraqi pipeline to transport oil through Syrian territory to Mediterranean ports." The source confirmed that "the Syrian President expressed his readiness to cooperate with Iraq in various fields."
He explained that "the Iraqi delegation expressed Iraq's support and commitment to the unity and sovereignty of Syrian territory, and the importance of Syria's stability for Iraqi national security and the security of the region."
"The Iraqi delegation also met with the administration responsible for the holy shrines in Syria and conveyed to them the concern of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Iraq's support for the Syrian people, with all their sects and components."
The Iraqi delegation visited the shrine of Al-Sayyida Zainab (peace be upon her).
An official Iraqi government delegation, headed by the head of the National Intelligence Service, Hamid al-Shatri, arrived in Damascus upon the directives of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, to meet with the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Mr. Ahmad al-Sharaa, and a number of government officials.
The official delegation included officials from the Border Forces Command at the Ministry of Interior, the Ministries of Oil and Trade, and the Border Ports Authority.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Iraq, UK discuss regional crisis developments
Iraq, UK discuss regional crisis developments

Iraqi News

time2 hours ago

  • Iraqi News

Iraq, UK discuss regional crisis developments

Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fuad Hussein, and the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, discussed on Monday the rapid regional developments and strategies to prevent escalation. During their phone conversation, Lammy reaffirmed his country's commitment to Iraq's stability and the importance of keeping it impartial in the face of any conflicts, according to a statement released by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. Lammy underlined the need to maintain control over the situation and prevent intervention from militant groups in the ongoing war. Lammy added that Britain has not participated in any military actions and is in constant communication with France and Germany to coordinate positions, as well as collaborating with the US administration regarding developments in the Middle East. The UK Foreign Secretary also emphasized the need to return to negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, warning of the dangers of any assault on US or British personnel stationed in the region. The United Kingdom believes that diplomatic solutions are the best way to avoid further escalation, according to Lammy, who additionally recognized Iraq's contribution in this respect, despite its sensitive geographical location and the complex nature of the regional situation. Hussein indicated that the conflict would have catastrophic consequences for the region and the entire world, including huge economic issues, particularly if it extended to the Strait of Hormuz, which might result in a worldwide economic crisis. Hussein emphasized that Israel continues to violate Iraqi airspace, which is a clear breach of Iraqi sovereignty and international law. He called on the international community to take decisive action to end these crimes and contain the crisis.

Is Iran's Khamenei risking a fate like Iraq's former dictator? Israel's latest warning suggests so
Is Iran's Khamenei risking a fate like Iraq's former dictator? Israel's latest warning suggests so

Iraqi News

time2 hours ago

  • Iraqi News

Is Iran's Khamenei risking a fate like Iraq's former dictator? Israel's latest warning suggests so

Tel Aviv – Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday he could suffer a fate 'similar to' Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, who was toppled and later executed. Katz warned Khamenei risked 'a fate similar to Saddam Hussein' during a meeting with Israeli military and security service commanders, according to a statement from his office. 'I warn the Iranian dictator against continuing to commit war crimes and launch missiles toward Israeli civilians,' Katz was quoted as saying. 'He should remember what happened to the dictator in the neighbouring country to Iran who took the same path against Israel.' Saddam was toppled in the US-led invasion of 2003 and later captured and executed. His administration fired missiles at Israel during the 1991 Gulf war and was accused of running a covert nuclear weapons programme.

Iraq seeks to avoid Israel-Iran consequences
Iraq seeks to avoid Israel-Iran consequences

Iraqi News

time2 hours ago

  • Iraqi News

Iraq seeks to avoid Israel-Iran consequences

Baghdad – In Iraqi airspace, Iranian missiles and drones have crossed paths with Israeli warplanes, forcing Baghdad to step up efforts to avoid being drawn into the region's latest conflict. But with Baghdad both an ally of Iran and a strategic partner of the United States, Israel's closest supporter, it may struggle to avoid the fighting spreading to its territory. 'There is a sizable risk of a spillover escalation in Iraq,' said political analyst Sajad Jiyad. 'Iraqis have a right to be worried,' he added. With warnings of all-out regional war intensifying following Israel's surprise assault on Iran last week, fears are growing over an intervention by Iran-backed Iraqi factions, which have been calling for the withdrawal of US troops deployed in Iraq as part of an anti-jihadist coalition. A senior Iraqi security official told AFP on condition of anonymity that among pro-Iran actors 'everyone is cooperating with the government to keep Iraq away from conflict.' But Jiyad warned that if the US supports Israel's attacks, it 'may lead to pro-Iran elements inside Iraq targeting US troops' or other American interests like the embassy in Baghdad or the consulate in Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region. This could lead to the US and Israel taking retaliatory actions within Iraq, Jiyad added. Iraq, which has been for years navigating a delicate balancing act between Tehran and Washington, has long been a fertile ground for proxy battles. – 'On standby' – In 2020, during US President Donald Trump's first term, Washington killed Iran's esteemed Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. Most recently, amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Iraq was on the brink of being drawn into the conflict after pro-Iran factions launched numerous attacks on US troops in the region, as well as mostly failed attacks on Israel, in support of Palestinians. Washington retaliated by hitting the armed groups. In recent days, Baghdad has been working diplomatic channels to prevent the latest violence from spreading onto its turf. It has called on Washington to prevent Israeli jets from using Iraqi airspace to carry out attacks against Iran. It also asked Iran not to strike US targets in its territory, and was promised 'positive things', according to a senior Iraqi official. Israel's use of Iraq's airspace has angered pro-Iran groups, who accused US troops of allowing it. Powerful armed faction Kataeb Hezbollah stressed that Iran does not need 'military support', but it said that the group is 'closely monitoring' the US military in the region. It warned that if Washington intervenes in the war, the group 'will act directly against its interests and bases in the region without hesitation.' A US official urged the Iraqi government to 'protect diplomatic missions, as well as US military personnel.' 'We believe Iraq will be more stable and sovereign by becoming energy independent and distancing itself from Iran's malign influence,' the official told AFP, referring to Iraq's dependency on gas imports from Iran. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, warned that Iran-backed groups 'continue to engage in violent and destabilising activities in Iraq.' – Not alone – Israel's surprise attack on Iran targeted military and nuclear facilities and killed many top commanders and atomic scientists. Iran responded by unleashing barrages of missile strikes on Israel. Tamer Badawi, an expert on Iraqi armed groups, said 'the more Iran struggles to sustain its firepower against Israel, the likelier it becomes that Iraqi paramilitary actors will be drawn in.' For now, 'Iran is trying to avoid collateral damage to its network by keeping its regional allies on standby. But this posture could shift,' he added. Before launching its attack on Iran, Israel had badly hit Tehran's proxies in the region, significantly weakening some groups, including Lebanon's Hezbollah. 'Beyond attacks within Iraq, Iran-backed Iraqi groups retain the capacity to target Israel from western Iraq using their missile arsenals, as they have done before,' Badawi said. They might also target American interests in Jordan. But Iraqi officials say they have other plans for their country, which has only recently regained a semblance of stability after decades of devastating conflicts and turmoil. Iraq is gearing up for its legislative elections in November, which are often marked by heated political wrangling. For armed groups, elections are a crucial battleground as they strive to secure more seats in parliament. 'Sometimes, the sword must be kept in the sheath, but this does not mean abandoning our weapons,' a commander of an armed faction told AFP. The armed groups will not leave Iran, their 'godfather.. in the battle alone.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store