Top US delegation meets Iraq officials in Baghdad
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Wednesday received a US delegation headed by Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, John Bass, to discuss enhancing bilateral ties and the latest developments in Syria.
The discussion focused on the importance of a transitional phase in Syria that includes all parties to establish stability and the rights of all people, according to a statement from Sudani’s office.
Sudani “affirmed Iraq’s role in engaging with international partners to consult on the Syrian situation and stressed the importance of respecting the Syrian people’s will in determining their future,” added the statement.
The delegation also reaffirmed the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State’s commitment to Iraq’s security and reiterated that Iraq is a key partner in the region.
Earlier in the day, Bass visited Iraq’s National Security Advisor, Qasim al-Araji, to discuss the latest developments in Syria and the importance of ensuring the unity of the Syrian people and territory, according to a statement from Araji’s office.
Iraq is concerned that it may be affected by Syria’s civil conflict as a coalition of Syrian rebels led by the Islamists Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has taken control of swathes of land in Syria, including Damascus. Earlier this week, they ended Bashar al-Assad’s decades-long reign.
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani recently called on Sudani not to allow Iraqi armed groups to get involved in the Syrian conflict and said his fighters will not pose a threat to Iraq’s national security.
The discussion focused on the importance of a transitional phase in Syria that includes all parties to establish stability and the rights of all people, according to a statement from Sudani’s office.
Sudani “affirmed Iraq’s role in engaging with international partners to consult on the Syrian situation and stressed the importance of respecting the Syrian people’s will in determining their future,” added the statement.
The delegation also reaffirmed the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State’s commitment to Iraq’s security and reiterated that Iraq is a key partner in the region.
Earlier in the day, Bass visited Iraq’s National Security Advisor, Qasim al-Araji, to discuss the latest developments in Syria and the importance of ensuring the unity of the Syrian people and territory, according to a statement from Araji’s office.
Iraq is concerned that it may be affected by Syria’s civil conflict as a coalition of Syrian rebels led by the Islamists Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has taken control of swathes of land in Syria, including Damascus. Earlier this week, they ended Bashar al-Assad’s decades-long reign.
HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani recently called on Sudani not to allow Iraqi armed groups to get involved in the Syrian conflict and said his fighters will not pose a threat to Iraq’s national security.