[Damascus] A senior authorities in the Syrian presidency verified to The Media Line that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will not go to the 34th Arab League Top set up to occur in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, on Saturday, May 17.
The high-ranking source included that the Syrian delegation will rather be led by Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani.
President al-Sharaa’s lack comes in the middle of extreme political debate triggered by Iraq’s main invite to Damascus. The relocation dealt with severe criticism from popular Iraqi political figures, the majority of whom are lined up with Iran-backed factions. Critics saw the invite as intriguing, mentioning al-Sharaa’s controversial background and militant past.
Objections to al-Sharaa’s involvement are not just political however likewise security associated. Iraqi security sources formerly exposed that an old arrest warrant exists for the Syrian president, coming from his time as a militant with al-Qaida versus United States forces in Iraq. He was apparently put behind bars in Iraq for numerous years. This background positions the Iraqi federal government in a fragile position, especially provided installing pressure from both domestic stars and worldwide allies.
Considering that the fall of previous Syrian President Bashar Assad– a longstanding ally of Iran– Syrian-Iraqi relations have actually established very carefully. While the existing Iraqi federal government has actually embraced a policy of engagement with Damascus, it needs to browse a complicated political landscape affected by Iran-backed militias, much of which battled together with the Syrian program throughout the 13-year civil war.
Signaling a shared desire to reconstruct ties, a top-level Iraqi delegation, led by National Intelligence Service chief Hamid al-Shatri, checked out Damascus late last month. The delegation consulted with President al-Sharaa and senior Syrian authorities to go over cooperation on security, trade, and counterterrorism.
On the other hand, Iraqi authorities have actually revealed thorough security procedures to secure top guests. Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari specified in an interview with AlHadath television that no particular security warranties were asked for by or for the Syrian delegation. He stressed that all taking part delegations would get equivalent security defenses.
In a preemptive step to avoid possible discontent, Iraq’s Interior Ministry released an across the country demonstration restriction from Might 11 to Might 20, alerting that lawbreakers would deal with legal repercussions. The ministry specified the choice intends to guarantee a steady environment for the top’s procedures.
President al-Sharaa’s lack might be analyzed as an effort to prevent political and diplomatic shame at a delicate minute. Nevertheless, it likewise highlights the long-lasting obstacles Syria deals with in its efforts to reintegrate into the Arab fold, in spite of current overtures towards normalization.