ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Saturday talked with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose forces have lost control of large amounts of territory to a rebel offensive in the north.
Sudani “emphasized that Syria’s security and stability are closely linked to Iraq’s national security and play a crucial role in regional security and efforts to establish stability in the Middle East,” read a statement from Sudani’s office.
Syrian state media reported that Sudani offered Assad assistance, confirming “Iraq's readiness to provide all necessary support to Syria to confront terrorism.”
A coalition of Syrian rebel groups, led by the jihadist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have made a dramatic grab of territory in northern Syria over the past four days. The Islamist fighters entered Syria’s largest city Aleppo on Friday afternoon after taking several villages in the surrounding countryside.
This is the first time the rebel groups have gained ground in years.
The Syrian army has admitted to losing territory.
Iraq on Saturday sealed its border with Syria and put its military on standby, state media reported.
Allies of Damascus, Iran and Russia, expressed “extreme concern” about the situation in Aleppo during a phone call between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
Araghchi also discussed the developments in Syria with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Turkey backs the Syrian rebels.
Araghchi is set to visit Damascus on Sunday and then will go to Ankara, according to Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei.
According to opposition media outlets, the rebels have taken control of most of Aleppo and they are advancing towards Hama province. HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, in a video message on Saturday, said they will not stop until they reach Damascus.
