Iraqi PM al-Zaidi arrives in Syria in landmark post-Assad summit on security, trade - analysis
Syria’s Sharaa said that Syria's role as a trade corridor for Iraq is important. He stressed the example of the connections between Iraq's Faw Port and Syria's Mediterranean port of Tartous.
On October 28, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made the historic journey to Syria, marking the first such trip since the fall of the Assad regime in 2024. This visit, led by a high-level delegation, is expected to address security and counter-terrorism concerns between the two nations. Iraqi state media announced the delegation but provided few details about the agenda.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed optimism about the visit, emphasizing the historic opportunity for Iraq and Syria to deepen economic cooperation, strengthen state institutions, and coordinate regional security. He highlighted the importance of Syria as a trade corridor for Iraq, referencing the connections between Iraq's Faw Port and Syria's Mediterranean port of Tartous, as well as the need to rebuild oil pipelines linking Iraq to Syria's Baniyas port.
Trade between the nations has increased significantly in recent months, with over 100,000 transit trucks and 40,000 import and export trucks passing through.
Al-Sharaa also acknowledged Iraq's internal security challenges and supported Prime Minister al-Zaidi's efforts to combat corruption and bring armed groups under state authority. The Syrian leader revealed he had visited Iraq in 2003, driven by solidarity and a duty to defend Iraqis, without affiliations to any organizations or political movements. He returned to Syria in 2011 after his release from prison.
The visit underscores Syria's efforts to rebuild regional ties through trade and security cooperation. However, challenges remain, including the presence of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, which threaten Israel. A secure Syria and Iraq, where militias cannot roam freely, would benefit Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. The history of Syria and Iraq, from the Ottoman Empire to modern Arab nationalism and the Baath Party, highlights the complex relationship between the two nations and the strategic importance of their shared border.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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