Iraqi FM Fuad Hussein Highlights Regional Challenges, U.S. Role, ISIS Threats at Davos Forum
Iraqi FM warned of ISIS's growing threat in Syria, where it gained control of Syrian army weapons after Bashar al-Assad's regime collapsed, enhancing its capacity for destabilization.
Jan. 25, 2025
ERBIL (Kurdistn24) - Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein underlined the evolving Middle East dynamics, the ongoing U.S. military presence in Iraq and Syria, and the persistent threat posed by ISIS, which continues to imperil regional security.
Changing Middle East Dynamics
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated that the Middle East's geopolitical landscape has experienced noteworthy changes compared to Donald Trump’s first administration (2017-2021).
Despite these transformations, he expects U.S. forces to remain in Iraq and the region, citing strategic security agreements between Baghdad and Washington.
Hussein made these remarks during a session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. He emphasized the significance of sustained cooperation with the U.S., particularly in light of ongoing conflicts and radical regional shifts.
U.S. Troop Presence and Strategic Cooperation
The United States currently has 2,500 troops in Iraq and an additional 900 in Syria as part of the coalition established in 2014 to combat ISIS.
Minister Hussein underscored that their presence aligns with a strategic security agreement and plays a central role in countering threats like ISIS.
A transitional plan for coalition forces outlines a phased withdrawal, beginning with Iraq by September 2025 and followed by the Kurdistan Region by September 2026.
However, Minister Hussein indicated that regional developments might influence this timeline.
Concerns Over U.S.-Iran Tensions
The Iraqi Foreign Minister expressed Baghdad's concern over intensifying tensions between the United States and Iran, noting that Tehran is ready for dialogue with Washington.
Stability in U.S.-Iran relations, he suggested, would have a positive ripple effect across the region.
The Resurgence of ISIS
The foreign minister cautioned of the mounting threat posed by ISIS, whose influence has expanded in Syria following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
According to Hussein, the terrorist group has seized Syrian army weapons, boosting its capacity for regional destabilization.
He also pointed to the presence of ISIS elements on the Iraqi-Jordanian border, calling it a “real danger” to regional security.
This underlines the necessity for continued international cooperation to battle the group's resurgence.
Hussein’s remarks underline Iraq’s dual challenges of managing internal security threats and navigating the broader geopolitical shifts in the Middle East.
As regional powers and global stakeholders engage in dialogue and cooperation, the fight against terrorism and the stability of Iraq remain decisive priorities for the region’s future.
The forum provided a platform for Iraq to reiterate its strategic partnerships and highlight its role as a mediator in the region's complex political landscape.