Iraqi-American Talks on the "Dangerous Situation" in Syria

SadaNews - Iraq and the United States held discussions in Baghdad regarding ways to strengthen relations between the two countries and the "dangerous situation" in Syria. This came during a meeting that gathered Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein with U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Joshua Harris, according to the Iraqi News Agency "INA" on Wednesday.

The two sides addressed ways to enhance relations between the two countries and discussed the dangerous situation in Syria. The Iraqi Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of a ceasefire between the Syrian army and "SDF", as well as the importance of controlling prisons and preventing members of the terrorist "ISIS" from escaping.

The two sides also discussed "bilateral relations and ways to enhance them in the political, security, and economic fields to serve the common interests of both countries".

Hussein stressed the "importance of choosing an effective government capable of meeting the aspirations of the citizens" in light of the results of the parliamentary elections last November.

The two sides also discussed the "dangerous situation in Syria" and Hussein stressed the "necessity of a ceasefire between the government forces and SDF".

He called for "taking all necessary measures to control prisons and prevent members of the ISIS terrorist organization from escaping".

In December 2017, Baghdad announced victory over "ISIS" and the recovery of the Iraqi territories that it occupied, following three years of fierce fighting.

However, the organization is still active in northern, western, and eastern provinces, launching sporadic attacks, while the government carries out security and military operations to eliminate its remnants.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed, during a phone call on Tuesday, border security between the two countries, coordination on opening crossings, and pursuing "ISIS".

This coincided with the announcement by the Syrian government of reaching a "common understanding" with "SDF", which includes mechanisms for military, administrative, and political integration, which began to be implemented on Tuesday evening.

On the evening of last Sunday, al-Sharaa signed a ceasefire agreement with "SDF" that included the integration of its members into the government.

Among the main provisions of the agreement was the integration of the administration responsible for the file of ISIS prisoners and camps, and the forces responsible for protecting these facilities into the Syrian government, which will assume full legal and security responsibility for them.

The agreement came after a military operation launched by the Syrian army a few days ago, during which it regained extensive areas in the east and northeast of the country, following repeated violations by "SDF" of the agreement signed with the government 10 months ago, and its evasion of its implementation.

"SDF" had previously evaded implementing the March 2025 agreement, which stipulated respecting the Kurdish component, guaranteeing equal rights for all components of the people, and integrating civil and military institutions in the northeast of the country within the state administration.

The administration of al-Sharaa is making intensive efforts to maintain security and establish its control over all Syrian geography since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024.