7/29/2025–|Last update: 11:14 (Mecca time)
Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shi’a Al -Sudani affirmed that his government is coordinating with the new Syrian government, especially in security issues, stressing that Baghdad and Damascus are facing a joint enemy, the Islamic State, which is clearly found in Syria.
In an interview with the Associated Press, published today, the Sudanese said that his government warned the Syrian government against the mistakes that occurred in Iraq after the fall of the regime of the late Iraqi President Saddam Hussein when the security vacuum that followed this led to years of sectarian violence and the rise of armed extremist groups.
Al -Sudani called on the Syrian leadership to seek a “comprehensive political process that includes all components and sects.”
He stressed that Iraq does not want to divide Syria or any foreign presence on its territory, in reference to the Israeli incursions in southern Syria.
Not giving justifications
Commenting on the escalation in the region as a result of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, the Sudanese explained that his country was keen to “give any justification to any party to target Iraq.”
He continued that armed groups in Iraq tried to launch rockets, enlocuts towards Israel and Iraqi bases that include American forces, but the Iraqi security services thwarted 29 attempts, in an effort to “give Israel justice in light of its policy to expand the scope of the war.”
In light of an agreement that requires the completion of the first phase of the withdrawal of the coalition forces next September, the Sudanese reported that the United States and Iraq will meet by the end of the year to “arrange the bilateral security relationship” between the two countries.
The Sudanese explained that the presence of the coalition forces provided a “justification” for Iraqi groups to arm themselves, but once the coalition is withdrawal, “there will be no need or justification for any group to carry weapons outside the state.”
He also expressed his hope to secure American economic investments in oil and gas as well as artificial intelligence, which he said would contribute to regional security and make “the two countries great together.”
Iraq faces a challenge related to the future of the existence of the international coalition forces on its lands in light of the escalation of conflict in the region, as Iraqi parties see that the withdrawal is possible, while some see that the current transformations lead to rethinking this.