Fayyadh brings Iraqi message of cooperation to Damascus
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi sent a letter to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stressing the need to maintain relations. The message was conveyed by Iraq’s National Security Advisor Falih al-Fayyadh, controversial nominee for the post of interior minister.
Fayyadh visited Damascus on Saturday where he delivered to Assad the letter that “focused on the development of relations between the two countries and the importance of continuing coordination between them at all levels."
He addressed cooperation in the war on terror, “especially on the border between the two countries,” according to a statement issued by the Syrian presidency.
Iraqi security forces regained control of their side of the border after the defeat of ISIS more than one year ago. The militant group still holds a small pocket of territory on the Syrian side, however.
The Iraqi army is in force on the border with Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province and the Iraqi air force occasionally strikes ISIS targets on the Syrian side.
In the wake of the US announcement that it plans to pull American troops out of Syria, Iraq’s security leaders met to strategize for the inevitable fallout.
Assad and Fayyadh discussed this recent development, with the Syrian president highlighting “positive events taking place in the region, especially in terms of restoring security and stability in most cities of Syria and Iraq.”
This “confirms that the will of the peoples of the region is to maintain the sovereignty of their countries,” he said.
Assad has opposed the American presence in Syria, but had been powerless to compel them to leave.
The Iraqi government over the weekend rejected claims that it had called for its troops to cross the border as the Americans leave.
Fayyadh’s nomination for the post of interior minister has revealed a rift between Shiite factions in the parliament. The position is one of three that remains vacant, more than half a year after the election.
Fayyadh visited Damascus on Saturday where he delivered to Assad the letter that “focused on the development of relations between the two countries and the importance of continuing coordination between them at all levels."
He addressed cooperation in the war on terror, “especially on the border between the two countries,” according to a statement issued by the Syrian presidency.
Iraqi security forces regained control of their side of the border after the defeat of ISIS more than one year ago. The militant group still holds a small pocket of territory on the Syrian side, however.
The Iraqi army is in force on the border with Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province and the Iraqi air force occasionally strikes ISIS targets on the Syrian side.
In the wake of the US announcement that it plans to pull American troops out of Syria, Iraq’s security leaders met to strategize for the inevitable fallout.
Assad and Fayyadh discussed this recent development, with the Syrian president highlighting “positive events taking place in the region, especially in terms of restoring security and stability in most cities of Syria and Iraq.”
This “confirms that the will of the peoples of the region is to maintain the sovereignty of their countries,” he said.
Assad has opposed the American presence in Syria, but had been powerless to compel them to leave.
The Iraqi government over the weekend rejected claims that it had called for its troops to cross the border as the Americans leave.
Fayyadh’s nomination for the post of interior minister has revealed a rift between Shiite factions in the parliament. The position is one of three that remains vacant, more than half a year after the election.