Syria FM’s Visit to Iraq Paves Way for New Chapter in Ties

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, in Baghdad, Iraq, March 14, 2025. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, in Baghdad, Iraq, March 14, 2025. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
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Syria FM’s Visit to Iraq Paves Way for New Chapter in Ties

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, in Baghdad, Iraq, March 14, 2025. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, in Baghdad, Iraq, March 14, 2025. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)

Iraqi observers have said that Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani's recent visit to Baghdad will open a new chapter in relations between the neighbors following weeks of “wariness” in wake of the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December.

Shaibani’s visit was warmly welcomed by Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani.

The Syrian official did not meet with leaders of the pro-Iran ruling Coordination Framework who are viewing new Syria warily. In the open, they did not express reservations over the visit, while in closed circles, they welcomed it.

Armed groups loyal to Iran, however, have expressed their opposition to Shaibani’s visit. While they did not issue statements in protest, they made their positions clear on social media, while some of their supporters held small rallies in Baghdad and Basra.

Iran was a staunch supporter of the Assad regime.

Former aide to the prime minister Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie said Shaibani’s visit is important for deepening ties between Syria and Iraq and underlines al-Sudani's desire to be open to Damascus.

In a post on the X platform, he remarked that the “wise” leaders in the Coordination Framework have prioritized Iraq’s interests and have “responsibly” viewed the developments in Syria and refrained from making any rash statements.

Former diplomat Dr. Ghazi Faisal said the visit marks a “qualitative shift” in relations between the neighbors.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iraq must develop and expand investments in Syria and work on building close relations with it.

“As for its political system, that is tied to the will of the Syrian people and their right to determine their fate,” he added.

Moreover, he noted the formation of a joint operations room between Damascus and Baghdad to combat the ISIS terrorist group, which could help achieve rapprochement between them.

Iraq must be “realistic” in its relations with neighbors, he went on to say. It must adopt “strategic openness” and cooperate in water and security areas, and combat terrorism.

Professor of strategic studies at Baghdad University Ihssan Shmary said Shaibani’s visit was a “test to Baghdad and Damascus” that will help shape relations between them.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the visit is significant given the Iraqi government’s criticism of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group - whose leader Ahmed al-Sharaa is now interim president of Syria - shortly before Assad’s ouster.

However, it now appears that the government wants to open a new chapter in relations with Syria, he stated.

He stressed the need to follow up on the visit and “build on its outcomes”, including the formation of a joint cooperation council.

Furthermore, Shmary said Iran’s influence must not be ignored when it comes to relations between Baghdad and Damascus, especially after Tehran’s allies showed clear opposition to the development of relations with the new rulers in Syria.



Syria Joins a Donor Conference for the First Time in a Crucial Phase for Its New Leaders

EU High Representative and Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (C), Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (C-R), Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (C-L) and representatives pose for a family picture on the sidelines of the Brussels IX Conference “Standing with Syria: meeting the needs for a successful transition”, at the Europa Building in Brussels on March 17, 2025. (AFP)
EU High Representative and Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (C), Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (C-R), Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (C-L) and representatives pose for a family picture on the sidelines of the Brussels IX Conference “Standing with Syria: meeting the needs for a successful transition”, at the Europa Building in Brussels on March 17, 2025. (AFP)
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Syria Joins a Donor Conference for the First Time in a Crucial Phase for Its New Leaders

EU High Representative and Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (C), Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (C-R), Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (C-L) and representatives pose for a family picture on the sidelines of the Brussels IX Conference “Standing with Syria: meeting the needs for a successful transition”, at the Europa Building in Brussels on March 17, 2025. (AFP)
EU High Representative and Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (C), Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (C-R), Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (C-L) and representatives pose for a family picture on the sidelines of the Brussels IX Conference “Standing with Syria: meeting the needs for a successful transition”, at the Europa Building in Brussels on March 17, 2025. (AFP)

International donors gathered on Monday in a show of support for Syria, hoping to encourage the new leaders of the conflict-ravaged country toward a peaceful political transition following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in December.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani attended the conference — the ninth of its kind — in a first for a top official from Damascus.

But the United States, one of Syria’s top donors, wasn’t expected to offer assistance as the Trump administration is reviewing all foreign aid. It contributed almost $1.2 billion to Syria and the region last year.

Ministers and representatives from Western partners, Syria’s regional neighbors, other Arab countries and UN agencies also attended the one-day meeting in Brussels, organized in haste by the European Union amid change sweeping the country.

Opening the meeting, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU was increasing its pledge to Syrians in the country and the region to almost 2.5 billion euros ($2.7 billion) for 2025 and 2026.

“We call on all of you who are here today to do the same, if possible, because at this critical time, the people of Syria need us more than ever,” von der Leyen said.

Syria's new leaders are trying to consolidate control over territory that was divided into de facto mini-states during nearly 14 years of civil war, and to rebuild the economy and infrastructure. The United Nations has estimated that it would cost at least $250 billion to rebuild Syria, while experts say that could reach at least $400 billion.

At the same time, Western governments are cutting back on aid spending, in part to use in defense budgets.

“We will give more, but we cannot fill the gap left by the US,” EU Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib told reporters. "We will need to share the burden.”

Security concerns are also making donors hesitate. Earlier this month, an ambush on a Syrian security patrol by gunmen loyal to Assad triggered clashes. Some factions allied with the new government launched sectarian revenge attacks — primarily targeting Assad’s Alawite minority sect — that monitoring groups say killed hundreds of civilians over several days.

The EU said that it will only support “a peaceful and inclusive transition, away from malign foreign interference, which guarantees the rights of all Syrians without distinction of any kind.”

The 27-nation bloc has begun to ease energy, transport and financial sector sanctions to encourage the new authorities, but many other Western sanctions remain in place. The EU can reintroduce sanctions if things don’t go to the liking of Western backers.

Syria's foreign minister said that lifting the measures is no longer just a government demand but "a humanitarian and moral necessity.”

"We cannot talk about economic recovery and humanitarian development in Syria while restrictions continue to prevent even the arrival of medical equipment and spare parts to repair damaged hospitals and essential service facilities,” he said.

Syria's economy, infrastructure and institutions are in tatters. As a failed state, it could become another haven for extremists.

Amy Pope, director-general of the International Organization for Migration, urged donors to seize this opportunity to encourage the interim government to move in the right direction.

“It’s critical that countries take advantage of the moment we’re in,” Pope told The Associated Press.

“Of course, we all want to see an inclusive Syria,” she said. “We want to make sure there’s accountability for human rights violations. But the answer is to engage more, not to engage less.”

Syrians have only a few hours of electricity each day. Water supplies are unreliable and often unsafe. Unemployment runs to 80% or 90%. Destruction is widespread.

Many government employees and experts needed to rebuild fled after the 2011 peaceful anti-regime protests were violently quelled by Assad, leading to the conflict.

The UN refugee agency said that last year around 7 million people were displaced in Syria. More than 4.7 million refugees are registered in neighboring countries, most in Türkiye, Lebanon and Jordan.

The German government said that it would pledge around 300 million euros ($326 million) to help deal with the fallout from Syria’s civil war. More than half will be used to help people in Syria, with other funding supporting Syrians and communities elsewhere.

Monday's conference was also focused on meeting Syria’s economic needs. Infrastructure, health and education must be scaled up. Jobs and cash for work programs are needed so that Syrians can start to make a living.