Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani embarked on an official visit to Syria on Sunday, marking the first visit by an Iraqi premier since the start of the Syrian war in 2011. The purpose of the trip is to enhance cooperation between the two nations in securing their shared border and fostering economic relations.
Despite the ongoing Syrian civil war and regional geopolitical complexities, Iraq and Syria have maintained strong ties, particularly due to their shared economic, military, and political connections with Iran. While other Arab states severed diplomatic relations with Syria during the conflict, Iraq and Syria continued to collaborate.
During the war, both countries, along with Iranian-backed Shiite armed groups, worked together in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, which had gained control over significant parts of Iraq and Syria. The visit aims to further strengthen their joint efforts in combating drug trafficking, particularly the production and distribution of the amphetamine Captagon, and preventing the infiltration of IS militants across their 600-kilometer border.
Additionally, discussions will focus on trade and economic cooperation, exploring opportunities for reopening an oil export pipeline in the Mediterranean. Such a pipeline would enable Iraq to diversify its export routes, enhancing its economic stability and reducing dependency on existing channels.
The visit of Prime Minister Al-Sudani signifies an important step in fostering bilateral relations and reaffirming Iraq’s commitment to regional cooperation and stability.