عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership Stresses Security, Sovereignty of Iraq

20 December 2022, Jordan, Sweimeh: Leaders pose for the family photo during the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership in Sweimeh by the Dead Sea shore in central-west Jordan. (Petra/dpa)
20 December 2022, Jordan, Sweimeh: Leaders pose for the family photo during the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership in Sweimeh by the Dead Sea shore in central-west Jordan. (Petra/dpa)
    Dead Sea (Jordan) - Mohammed Khair al-Rawashdeh
TT
TT

Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership Stresses Security, Sovereignty of Iraq

20 December 2022, Jordan, Sweimeh: Leaders pose for the family photo during the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership in Sweimeh by the Dead Sea shore in central-west Jordan. (Petra/dpa)
20 December 2022, Jordan, Sweimeh: Leaders pose for the family photo during the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership in Sweimeh by the Dead Sea shore in central-west Jordan. (Petra/dpa)

The second Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership stressed on Tuesday support to Iraq as its confronts all challenges, including terrorism.

The conference was held at the Dead Sea, Jordan. Hosted by King Abdullah II, it brought together leaders from across the region, as well as officials from Europe, Türkiye and Iran.

The closing statement highlighted Iraq’s historic victory and sacrifices in its fight against terrorism that was waged with international and regional support.

The participants said they will continue to build on the outcomes of the first Baghdad conference and forge ahead in cooperating with Iraq to support its security, stability and sovereignty, democratic path, constitutional process and efforts to consolidate dialogue as a means to resolve regional disputes.

They underscored support to Iraq’s efforts in consolidating the state of law and constitution and building institutions that are capable of reconstructing the country and meeting the aspirations of its people.

They highlighted the importance of the tripartite cooperation mechanism between Jordan, Egypt and Iraq and the economic projects they agreed upon. They stressed the importance of cooperation projects between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Iraq, most notably in electricity and transportation.

The participants said achieving economic development and ensuring the success of regional cooperation projects demand constructive regional relations that are based on good neighborliness, refraining from meddling in the affairs of others, respecting international law and the adoption of dialogue to resolve disputes.

They stressed the need for cooperation to cement security and stability and fight terrorism.

The participants reviewed the impact regional and international crises are having on Iraq and the region. Overcoming them demands comprehensive regional cooperation and serious economic and political approaches that reflect common interests and back the development process in Iraq and the region, they said.

King Abdullah II

Jordan’s King Abdullah underlined Iraq’s pivotal role in the region and the need to bring together points of view to bolster regional cooperation.

He stated that the very holding of the conference underscores the determination of all parties in working with the Iraqi government and people so that they can achieve more prosperity.

He noted that the conference was being held at a time when the region was enduring security and political crises and food, water, climate, and energy and health challenges.

King Abdullah said Jordan believes that the region needs stability, just and comprehensive peace and regional cooperation, especially in economic and development fields.

Sudani

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani stressed that his country will not be used as a platform to threaten countries in the region.

Iraq is distancing itself from axis and calls for escalation, he added.

He also called on Türkiye and Iran to safeguard Iraq’s water security, noting that his country was facing an existential crisis due to water shortages.

He also called for maintaining joint work to combat extremism ideology.

Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron remarked that Jordan is playing a central role in supporting dialogue and bolstering diplomacy in the region.

The participants at the conference are seeking to consolidate security and stability in Iraq and the region, he added.

Everyone is committed to having balanced ties with Iraq, he continued. “If we want to secure the stability of Iraq, then we should resolve the problems with its neighbors,” he stressed.

The region, he said, has the potential to become an active participant in taking international decisions.

Sisi

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi said the situation in Iraq has witnessed a marked improvement.

He highlighted the brave sacrifices of the Iraqi people in their fight against terrorism, adding that Cairo rejects any meddling in Iraq’s internal affairs.

He reiterated Egypt’s support to all efforts aimed at ensuring security in Iraq.

Saudi FM

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah underscored the Kingdom’s categorical rejection of any assault on Iraqi territory.

Saudi Arabia stands by Iraq in its fight against terrorism and extremism and against everyone seeking to stir divisions, he added.

It backs Iraq’s efforts to reclaim its historic standing as a land of civilization, learning and knowledge, he went on to say.

Prince Faisal said Riyadh welcomes Iraq’s reclaiming of its positive role in deepening trust, partnership and peace on the regional and international levels.

The Kingdom hails the political will in Iraq as it confronts challenges and consolidates security and stability to achieve the aspirations of the people, stressed Prince Faisal.

Saudi Arabia will not spare any effort in supporting Iraq’s economic and development ambitions out of its belief that the stability of Iraq will impact the entire region, he stated.

Iran and Türkiye

At the conclusion of Tuesday’s conference, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said several participants tackled the issue of foreign meddling in Iraqi affairs.

She said Iran must respect international law and the United Nations Charter on Human Rights, cease its interference in the affairs of its neighbors and release French hostages.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stressed that his country wants an end to Iranian and Turkish meddling in its internal affairs. Dialogue must be held to resolve the crisis.

He refused for Iraq to be used as a platform to carry out attacks against its neighbors, which in turn, must respect Iraq’s sovereignty.

Baghdad is seeking negotiations to resolve problems, starting with the Turkish and Iranian assaults on its territories.

Egypt is set to host the third Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership in 2023 with the participation of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Türkiye, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Gulf Cooperation Council, United Nations and European Union.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Yarmouk Camp: Gaza-like Destruction, Uncertainty Amid Temporary Decisions

The destruction within Syria’s Yarmouk camp mirrors the scenes of war in Gaza (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The destruction within Syria’s Yarmouk camp mirrors the scenes of war in Gaza (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Yarmouk Camp: Gaza-like Destruction, Uncertainty Amid Temporary Decisions

The destruction within Syria’s Yarmouk camp mirrors the scenes of war in Gaza (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The destruction within Syria’s Yarmouk camp mirrors the scenes of war in Gaza (Asharq Al-Awsat)

This is not Gaza. It is the Yarmouk camp in Syria.
Simply reading the sign repeatedly at the entrance of the Palestinian camp near Damascus is not enough to cement this truth in the visitor’s mind.
One must constantly remind themselves, with every step and glance, that this is not Gaza, but the Yarmouk camp, just 18 kilometers from Umayyad Square. The camp faced systematic destruction and a long siege, leading to the deaths of over 150 residents, mostly children, from hunger and thirst.
The few families who returned after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime or in recent years are barely visible among the vast destruction, which stretches beyond what the eye or camera can capture.
A passerby emerging from the rubble or children returning from their makeshift classes at the nearby UNRWA school might seem like a scene from a film.
But this is the daily reality for the survivors.
“There are no services in the camp,” locals told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“No electricity, running water, internet, or basic healthcare—just ruined buildings, endless destruction, and dust.”
The memory of the starvation siege still lingers in Yarmouk.
A young man who survived the 2018 siege spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity.
“I remember the first piece of bread I ate after days of hunger. The taste never leaves me. After nearly a week without food or water, I remembered seeing a bag of bread in our neighbors' fridge,” he recalled.
“I mustered the strength to go and found the fridge, burned by airstrikes, still attached to the bread. Only the ends of the loaves had survived, though they were moldy... I ate it like a feast.”
The young man then showed old photos of himself, looking pale and thin, almost like a different person. Like him, many men, including heads of households, feared death or arrest if they went to food distribution points. These supplies, trickling in from local factions and the UN, came with great risk. Many "humanitarian corridors" became traps for men and young people.
Since 2011, the camp has endured military targeting, airstrikes, and intense battles. But in 2018, Yarmouk faced one of its darkest moments. After the 2011 uprising, many Palestinians supported it, including activists and Hamas members.
In response, Ahmed Jibril’s Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine–General Command, along with other pro-Assad factions, launched a violent attack on the camp and Free Syrian Army groups.
Barrel bombs fell on Yarmouk and nearby areas like Al-Hajar Al-Aswad, Al-Tadamon, and Yalda. The situation worsened with the presence of a ISIS stronghold in the southern part of the camp, connecting to those areas.
Founded in 1957, Yarmouk camp, covering around 2.5 kilometers, was once a bustling commercial center, home to nearly 1.5 million people, including Syrians, Palestinians, and some Iraqis. Today, fewer than 8,000 people remain, according to UNRWA estimates.
While many compare Yarmouk’s current situation to Gaza, the issue extends beyond the camp. It is one of 15 Palestinian camps in Syria, with over eight suffering severe destruction, all needing rebuilding and support like Yarmouk, as well as other damaged Syrian neighborhoods and areas around Damascus.
Residents face total neglect, uncertain about their future, the fate of missing family members, and the condition of their homes. Their biggest complaint is a sense of being abandoned, with no social, service, or political support.
They feel like orphans of the former regime, armed groups, and the revolution all at once.
Even the Palestinian factions that once controlled the camp now live in Damascus's middle-class and upscale neighborhoods, with some having moved to Beirut.
For years, civilians were trapped between ISIS, other factions, and the regime. Sources confirm that ISIS in Damascus was founded by a former prisoner from Yalda, released by the regime after the 2011 protests.
He was joined by an Iraqi officer living in Yarmouk, both of whom defected from Al-Nusra Front.
For nearly two years, ISIS expanded into nearby areas like Al-Hajar Al-Aswad, Al-Tadamon, and the southern part of Yarmouk, forming a large network of smaller extremist groups that fought and defeated the Free Syrian Army at the time.
During this period, ISIS militants were treated at the government-run Al-Mahini Hospital, later becoming the first armed group to negotiate with the former regime in southern Damascus. They left in organized convoys of buses to the desert of Sweida after surrendering military checkpoints, while Yarmouk residents remained fully besieged.
Asharq Al-Awsat passed the site of the “Ali Al-Wahsh” checkpoint, where a massacre killed 1,200 Yarmouk civilians (according to documented figures).
The worst part of this massacre was not just the number of victims, but the deception used to lure residents with promises of a safe passage for aid after the siege. Once there, men were executed, and women and children were forcibly displaced. Many residents, fearing for their lives, chose to stay hungry rather than risk going for help.
Diaa Suleiman, who lived through that time as a teenager and is now a father of three, said: “After all we went through, we’ve been betrayed. We are completely abandoned. No one looks at us, not even those who caused this. We need protection. We need answers... We need to know where we stand.”
An unofficial meeting, details of which were leaked, took place between Yarmouk faction leaders and representatives of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The agreement was that Palestinian fighters would hand over their weapons to the new regime in Syria, following a broader call for all factions to do the same.
While Palestinian weapons in Yarmouk were never used against Israel but instead in internal conflicts to support Assad’s regime, their removal now seems like the least difficult demand.
The value of these weapons has completely disappeared, especially since Yarmouk is now empty and destroyed. Restoring any authority there will require rebuilding both the infrastructure and the people.
“The major challenge ahead is how to define the legal and civil status of Palestinians and protect them through the law,” Ayman Abu Hashem, general coordinator of the Palestinian-Syrian Assembly (Maseer), told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Unlike most Palestinian refugee communities, Syrian law grants Palestinians the right to work, own property, and enjoy all civil rights, except voting. However, it excludes those who arrived after the 1967 war or from Jordan after 1970, and those constitute a significant number.
While most Palestinians in Syria see themselves as also Syrian, Hashem said their main demand is to gain Syrian citizenship while keeping their Palestinian identity.
“We don’t want to be seen as giving up the right of return or our connection to Palestine. But we and our children deserve Syrian citizenship, like anyone born and raised in a country, becoming a dual citizen,” explained Hashem.