Long-Awaited Visit: Notable Entry into Syria after 12 Years
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani made a historic visit to Syria, becoming the first prime minister-level official to visit the country since the civil war erupted in 2011. Sudani was warmly welcomed with an official ceremony in Damascus, where he met with Syrian President Bashar Assad. The two leaders held a joint press conference after their meeting to discuss various issues of mutual interest.
One of the important topics discussed was the smuggling of captagon, an amphetamine-like drug. Sudani and Assad expressed their commitment to combatting the illegal drug trade and strengthening cooperation in this area. They also talked about the reopening of the Kirkuk-Banyas oil pipeline in the Mediterranean, which would enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
During the press conference, President Assad emphasized the need to develop bilateral relations and the importance of the support that Iraq and Syria offer to each other. He commended Iraq for standing by Syria in the fight against terrorism and rejecting excuses to attack Syria. Assad appreciated Iraq’s support and conveyed his wishes for the Iraqi people’s prosperity and development.
Prime Minister Sudani reiterated Iraq’s unwavering support for Syria’s integrity, stating that Iraq’s security is intrinsically linked to Syria’s security. He assured that Iraq will continue to work with countries supporting Syria’s development, as it is beneficial for Iraq as well. Sudani emphasized that Iraq will never abandon Syria and will stand by its side.
The visit of Prime Minister Sudani holds significant importance in strengthening bilateral relations, particularly amidst the challenging international context and shared problems. Both leaders expressed their commitment to furthering economic relations between the two countries, with the aim of easing the economic embargo on Syria.
The visit concluded on a positive note, with both leaders recognizing the noble Arab identity of Iraq and expressing their mutual aspirations for greater prosperity and development for their respective countries. This visit marks a positive milestone in the ongoing efforts to rebuild and strengthen ties between Iraq and Syria.
(Source: Photo by Milliyet, “Green light for comeback! First step from Bashar Assad”)
