Iraq’s Sudani meets Syria’s Sharaa in Doha, first ever meeting: INA

DOHA/BAGHDAD,— Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani held a meeting in Doha with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, according to reports from Iraqi state media INA Thursday.

This marks the first direct engagement between the two leaders since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.

Al-Sudani’s brief visit to the Qatari capital included discussions with both Sharaa and Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Iraqi News Agency INA reported, citing a source close to the Iraqi government.

The talks were described as a response to “rapid regional developments,” particularly in Syria, although the exact timing of the meeting was not disclosed.

The Syrian presidency confirmed the discussions and noted Qatar’s role in facilitating the diplomatic meeting.

In a joint statement, both leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining national sovereignty and rejecting foreign involvement in internal affairs.

Among the topics discussed were plans to strengthen economic cooperation, reestablish trade routes, and reopen border crossings between Iraq and Syria, according to the Syrian presidential office.

A source familiar with the meeting, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told AFP that reopening the border and Syria’s reintegration into the Arab League were key points on the agenda.

Iraq had shut its border with Syria in December following a swift offensive by rebel groups that led to Assad’s removal from power. The development strained Baghdad’s longstanding ties with Damascus.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister al-Sudani announced that an invitation had been extended to President Sharaa to attend the Arab League summit, scheduled for May in Baghdad.

If Sharaa accepts, it would be his first official visit to Iraq since his imprisonment following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

During the Doha discussions, al-Sudani reiterated Iraq’s support for a political resolution in Syria that includes all segments of society, according to the INA source.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, or better known as Abu Mohammad al-Golani (sitting) with ISIS flag on the wall. Photo: X

Al-Sharaa, who is also known by the name Abu Mohammed al-Golani, is currently serving as the interim president of Syria’s opposition forces.

His history is controversial. He was previously affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State group ISIS before founding the al-Nusra Front, a group initially tied to al-Qaeda that later rebranded as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Sharaa’s record has drawn condemnation from many Iraqi lawmakers and political parties. He is widely accused of involvement in attacks that killed hundreds Iraqi civilians and security forces while fighting with Islamist extremist groups inside Iraq.

Senior Iraqi officials have said Sharaa “has Iraqi blood on his hands” and have voiced strong objections to meeting with him or allowing him entry into the country.

Despite this, the Qatari-hosted meeting went ahead, raising concerns among Iraqi factions about legitimizing a figure associated with past violence in Iraq.

(With files from Iraqi News Agency INA | AFP | Agencies)