Iraqi PM visits Tehran for first time since Syria coup
Iran’s president and the Iraqi premier discussed ‘common concerns’ on the situation in Syria, where HTS extremists have formed a new government
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani visited Iran’s capital, Tehran on 8 January for high-level talks, meeting with the country’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and other officials.
The meetings focused on bilateral ties and regional developments – particularly the situation in Syria. This was Sudani’s first visit to Syria since the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s government last month.
“The meeting witnessed a discussion of cooperation and coordination in positions between the two countries regarding developments in the region, especially the situation in Syria and the necessity of joint work to establish security and stability there and preserve its territorial integrity,” Sudani’s office said in a statement after the meeting with Pezeshkian.
During a joint press conference, the Iranian president warned of the “reactivation of terrorist cells” in Syria.
He also stressed the need “for the Zionist regime to withdraw from the territories it occupied and the importance of [new authorities] respecting religious sentiments (in Syria), particularly regarding Shia holy places and shrines,” which he said were main concerns.
Pezeshkian confirmed that the two sides share “common concerns” regarding Syria.
Sudani called during the conference for a “comprehensive political solution” in Syria, where Iraq will be ready to “cooperate with all parties to ensure stability.”
Assad’s government fell on 8 December as extremist groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) entered the capital early that morning. A transitional government has since been appointed.
While the new government has vowed to protect minorities, there have been numerous instances of attacks on Christian and Alawite holy sites and symbols. Executions of Alawite civilians and former government soldiers have also been widely reported. Extremists and ex-Al-Qaeda elements have assumed several official posts in the new government and its armed forces.
An arrest warrant for Syria’s de facto ruler Ahmad al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammad al-Julani), formerly Nusra Front chief and a leader of ISIS in its early days, was issued by the Iraqi judiciary in late December. Sharaa was accused of terrorism crimes in Iraq during his time in the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), the group that became ISIS in 2013.