Iraqi PM Al-Zaidi in Damascus on first visit by an Iraqi premier since Assad's fall

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi arrived in Damascus on the first visit by an Iraqi head of government since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. He was received at Damascus International Airport by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, with talks to follow at the presidential palace.

The visit reflects Baghdad's move to broaden ties with Damascus after a cautious approach to the new Syrian administration in its early months. The two countries share a border of more than 600km and common security and economic challenges; Al-Zaidi and Al-Sharaa met in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Oil is a key file: Iraq recently began exporting limited volumes via Syria after shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted, and in July the two sides signed a memorandum to revive the Haditha–Banias pipeline, out of service since 2003. Detainees are also on the agenda after more than 5,700 suspected Islamic State members, including over 3,000 Syrians, were moved from Syria to Iraq early this year.

Al-Sharaa said the interests binding the two countries are “ahead of any whimsical policies” and that relations have advanced over the past year and a half, especially economically, adding that Syria must take responsibility for its detained nationals rather than leave the burden to Iraq.