Iraq's Al Zaidi begins visit to Syria in first high-profile trip since Al Shara took power

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi commenced a visit to Syria on Wednesday, marking the first high-level diplomatic engagement between the two nations since the removal of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad in December 2024. Al Zaidi, accompanied by a federal delegation, is scheduled to engage in discussions with Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara in the Syrian capital, Damascus, according to government spokesman Haider Al Aboodi.

The primary topics of conversation will encompass the future of bilateral relations, regional affairs, and the implications of geopolitical shifts, with a particular emphasis on economic and trade cooperation. Both countries are keen on fostering an economic and investment partnership that transforms their neighborly ties into mutually advantageous opportunities for growth and development.

Although this marks Ali Al Zaidi's inaugural visit to Syria in his capacity as Prime Minister, the two leaders had previously met at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, where they deliberated on regional developments. The Iraq-Syria relationship has undergone a significant transformation in recent months, evolving from a foundation of deep mistrust to a pragmatic collaboration, catalyzed by the onset of the Iran war in February and heightened US pressure for regional de-escalation.

Iraq, which once exported an average of 105 million barrels of oil per month through the Strait of Hormuz before Iran's blockade of the waterway, is now seeking alternative trade channels, including through Syria. Baghdad has already begun transporting limited quantities of fuel oil by truck across Syria to Baniyas port on the Mediterranean, amounting to approximately 500,000 tonnes of fuel oil per month, as reported by the Syrian Petroleum Company.

Simultaneously, Iraq is importing petrol through the same route to address a daily deficit of 5 million liters.

On July 18, Syria and Iraq signed two agreements aimed at rehabilitating the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, while a separate arrangement was reached with a consortium comprising Chevron, UCC Holding, and TI Capital, to undertake technical and financial assessments for a new two million barrels per day pipeline. This multibillion-dollar project, slated for completion within four years, would position Syria as Iraq's principal gateway to the Mediterranean, as stated by President Al Shara in an interview with Iraq's Dijlah TV aired on Tuesday.

The ambitious initiative would link Iraq's Grand Faw Port to the Mediterranean while facilitating connectivity between Iraq, Syria, and other regional nations. Security coordination will be a focal point during the talks, as Iraq continues to seek assurances regarding border security, given the persistent presence of ISIS cells and Syria's apprehension over Iran-backed militias along the border.

President Al Shara assured that the border is "fully secure" and that no armed group poses a threat to the two countries, expressing his welcome of Prime Minister Al Zaidi's visit. This diplomatic expedition also coincides with Iraq's current handling of 5,704 ISIS detainees transferred from Syria earlier this year, including 3,000 Syrians, with ongoing discussions with the Iraqi judiciary regarding potential repatriation.

Al Shara emphasized that this visit represents a historic opportunity, not witnessed in over 60 to 70 years, as Iraq and Syria have endured prolonged periods of sectarian strife, internal turmoil, coups, and conflicts.