The significance of Iraqi divisions over Al-Sharaa
https://arab.news/8tqsd
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani last week said that the upcoming Arab League Summit in Baghdad 'comes within a transformative context.' He believes the present moment represents 'a convergence of the Iraqi national will and the broader Arab hope to overcome differences and embark on the establishment of an effective and comprehensive Arab cooperation system,' as he wrote in an article published in Asharq Al-Awsat.
This article coincided with intense discussions among political leaders in Baghdad following the official invitation extended by Culture Minister Ahmed Al-Badrani to Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa to attend the summit in Baghdad on Saturday. Al-Sudani views this summit as 'a historic opportunity to renew the project of Arab joint action, regain initiative and establish the Arab world as an effective power rather than a battleground for conflict.'
This 'Arab joint action' cannot be realized without reconciliation among neighboring countries, particularly Iraq and Syria. This approach was directly pursued by Al-Sudani shortly after the fall of previous Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime last December.
The Iraqi PM believes that the country's geographical position and size necessitate the maintenance of a positive relationship with the new Syria, regardless of the historical context of the current leaders in Damascus. However, this perspective is opposed by his allies in the Coordination Framework, prompting parties such as the Islamic Dawa Party and Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq, along with armed factions like Kata'ib Hezbollah, to publicly reject the prospect of Al-Sharaa visiting Iraq.
There were intense discussions among political leaders following the official invitation extended to Al-Sharaa
Hassan Al-Mustafa
This clear opposition to Al-Sudani's stance from key allies such as Nouri Al-Maliki and Qais Al-Khazali was contradicted by Ammar Al-Hakim, the leader of the National Wisdom Movement. He spoke about the invitation to Al-Sharaa at the Seen Dialogue Forum last month, asserting that 'it is in Iraq's national interest to engage and communicate' with the new government in Syria.
Al-Hakim's perspective was based on Iraq's regional role, as he believes that it 'is a significant and pivotal country' and therefore 'should play a role in major issues within the region.' This particularly relates to the situation in Syria, due to its geographical proximity and shared land borders, as well as concerns over the rise of violence and terrorism.
Additionally, he emphasized Iraq's capacity to undertake diplomatic efforts that could alleviate tensions between Iran and Syria, fostering communication between the two nations to prevent the escalation of sectarian rhetoric, which Al-Hakim views as a threat to the entire region. Consequently, he advocated for a positive, trust-building engagement between Baghdad and Damascus, rather than a severance of relations.
This pragmatic political perspective ensured he adopted an emotionally reserved stance regarding the meeting between Al-Sudani and Al-Sharaa in Doha last month. This meeting surprised Al-Sudani's allies in the Coordination Framework. However, Al-Hakim viewed it as a 'government decision' and asserted that 'the principle of relations with Syria is managed by the government, which is responsible for making such decisions.' He emphasized that 'the failure to inform the forces of the Coordination Framework about this meeting does not imply ignoring it,' stressing that 'we must engage with Syria, as it is beneficial for Iraq.'
According to a report released by the Amwaj Media website on April 17, political sources acquainted with the discussions indicated that 'the two leaders engaged in extensive dialogues regarding regional security, border management and counterterrorism efforts — shared challenges that persist in undermining stability in areas adjacent to the Iraqi-Syrian border.'
In addition to their strong discontent with Al-Sudani for not informing them about his meeting with Al-Sharaa in Qatar, there was another factor that prompted the leaders of the Coordination Framework to actively oppose the Syrian president's invitation. This relates to the Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for Nov. 11, which the Coordination Framework is unlikely to contest under a unified list. Instead, it is expected to enter four different lists, which may later unite based on the vote each receives.
Al-Sudani's positions aligned with those of influential Arab countries in the region, such as Saudi Arabia
Hassan Al-Mustafa
Their stance reflects a divergence in viewpoints and specific party positions, prompting these political forces to seek to sway the public in their favor electorally by presenting stringent stances that claim to express concern and anxiety for Iraq's security and stability. Thus, they brandished their opposition to the prospect of Al-Sharaa visiting.
Despite all this, Al-Sudani was determined to uphold the invitation to Al-Sharaa, stating in a television interview that his presence at the summit was crucial for clarifying his vision for a new Syria. He emphasized that 'most Arab countries are keen to see Syria overcome its decades-long ordeal,' stressing that Iraq would 'spare no effort in supporting Syria and respecting its choices.'
Al-Sudani's positions aligned with those of influential Arab countries in the region, such as Saudi Arabia, which is working to support the transitional political process in Syria. This process aims to serve the interests and security of the Syrian people and ensure that Syrian territory does not become an arena for terrorist groups or a conduit for drugs and arms smuggling. Riyadh is also concerned about Syria's territorial integrity and Israeli violations.
On Tuesday, the Syrian president's office announced that Al-Sharaa would not be attending the Baghdad summit. The Syrian delegation will instead be headed by Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani. Nevertheless, it is evident that the improved relations between Baghdad and Damascus, along with the resolution of previous conflicts, will be advantageous for both countries and will help reduce regional tensions.
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