Iraq hosts trilateral talks, seeks border security as Syrian conflict intensifies
Kurdistan24’s correspondent in Baghdad Shivan Jabbari reported that “Iraq has an initiative to further coordinate with the three neighboring countries in an attempt to enhance and reinforce border areas as well as assisting the Syrian government.”
Dec. 6, 2024
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - On Friday, the trilateral meeting between Iraqi, Iranian, and Syrian Foreign Ministers, is underway in Baghdad. Iraq has taken the initiative to reinforce its borders with both Iran and Syria.
Kurdistan24’s correspondent in Baghdad Shivan Jabbari reported that “Iraq has an initiative to further coordinate with the three neighboring countries in an attempt to enhance and reinforce border areas as well as assisting the Syrian government.”
The Kurdistan24 correspondent further explained that “the Iraqi initiative is simultaneously for protecting itself and supporting the Syrian government.”
On Thursday, Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that the Iraqi Fuad Hussein, Bassam al-Sabbagh Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Syria, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are scheduled to meet and discuss the unfolding events and situation in Syria.
This trilateral meeting follows the recent takeover of Aleppo and Hama by the armed anti-government groups. Homs is also being targeted and there are reports that the anti-government forces are advancing to Homs.
On Thursday, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham head Abu Mohammed al-Jolani called on Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to “distance Iraq from entering the new furnace of what is happening in Syria.”
He urged the Iraqi PM to prevent the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMFs) from getting engaged in what is currently unfolding in Syria.
The HTS’ head message to the Iraqi Prime Minister came at a time when the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that more than 200 armed Iraqi fighters had entered Syria to support the Syrian Army.
This comes at a time when the political discourse in Iraq over the unfolding events in Syria is also divided.
As figures such as Muqtada al-Sadr and Khamis al-Khanjar call for non-interference, there are Iranian-backed armed groups such as Kataeb Hezbollah who pressure the government in Baghdad to actively engage in Syria.