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Washington Tells Baghdad US Troops Withdrawal Comes at Cost

A convoy of US military vehicles after their withdrawal from northern Syria at the Iraqi-Syrian border crossing, Oct. 2019 (Reuters)
A convoy of US military vehicles after their withdrawal from northern Syria at the Iraqi-Syrian border crossing, Oct. 2019 (Reuters)
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Washington Tells Baghdad US Troops Withdrawal Comes at Cost

A convoy of US military vehicles after their withdrawal from northern Syria at the Iraqi-Syrian border crossing, Oct. 2019 (Reuters)
A convoy of US military vehicles after their withdrawal from northern Syria at the Iraqi-Syrian border crossing, Oct. 2019 (Reuters)

Reliable sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat the contents of a letter delivered by the US authorities to the Iraqi government, regarding arrangements for the withdrawal of international coalition forces.

The message included the withdrawal method and timetable, as well as obligations of the Iraqi side, stressing that if the withdrawal occurs, it will come at a price, and will not halt the deterrent attacks on pro-Iranian armed groups.

In a statement late on Wednesday, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said that a "significant message” had been received from Washington, and that Prime Minister Mohammad Shiaa al-Sudani would study it carefully.

The sources explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that Washington does not object to transitioning to a new phase of bilateral relations, but withdrawing forces (by any means) will not put end to the deterrent attacks against armed groups loyal to Iran, as long as they continue to harm the security and stability of the region.

The letter also indicated that the expected technical negotiations to arrange the withdrawal will not be easy and fast, and will take the necessary time to ensure that all issues are settled.

According to the sources, “Washington encouraged Baghdad through the letter to understand and realize the consequences of the withdrawal, including the financial and economic obligations that bind the two countries.”

Also, all Iraqi oil revenues have been paid into an account controlled by the US Treasury since 2003, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1483, which was intended to help Iraq manage its resources in a transparent manner.

Following the US message to Baghdad, political forces have engaged in intense discussions to find the appropriate way to deal with “this sudden move.”

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Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
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Italy Plans to Return Ambassador to Syria to Reflect New Diplomatic Developments, Minister Says

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)
Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks while meeting with members of the G7, on July 11, 2024, during the NATO summit in Washington. (AP)

Italy plans to send an ambassador back to Syria after a decade-long absence, the country’s foreign minister said, in a diplomatic move that could spark divisions among European Union allies.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking in front of relevant parliamentary committees Thursday, announced Rome’s intention to re-establish diplomatic ties with Syria to prevent Russia from monopolizing diplomatic efforts in the Middle Eastern country.

Moscow is considered a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has remained in power despite widespread Western isolation and civilian casualties since the start of Syria’s civil war in March 2011.

Peaceful protests against the Assad government — part of the so-called “Arab Spring” popular uprisings that spread across some of the Middle East — were met by a brutal crackdown, and the uprising quickly spiraled into a full-blown civil war.

The conflict was further complicated by the intervention of foreign forces on all sides and a rising militancy, first by al-Qaida-linked groups and then the ISIS group until its defeat on the battlefield in 2019.

The war, which has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country’s pre-war population of 23 million, is now largely frozen, despite ongoing low-level fighting.

The country is effectively carved up into areas controlled by the Damascus-based government of Assad, various opposition groups and Syrian Kurdish forces.

In the early days of the conflict, many Western and Arab countries cut off relations with Syria, including Italy, which has since managed Syria-related diplomacy through its embassy in Beirut.

However, since Assad has regained control over most of the territory, neighboring Arab countries have gradually restored relations, with the most symbolically significant move coming last year when Syria was re-admitted to the Arab League.

Tajani said Thursday the EU’s policy in Syria should be adapted to the “development of the situation,” adding that Italy has received support from Austria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus and Slovakia.

However, the US and allied countries in Europe have largely continued to hold firm in their stance against Assad’s government, due to concerns over human rights violations.