Iraqi foreign minister expresses solidarity with Syria amid Aleppo assault

BAGHDAD — In response to the recent seizure of Aleppo and other regions by Syrian opposition forces, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein reaffirmed Iraq’s solidarity with the Syrian government, emphasizing that instability in Syria poses a threat to regional security, including Iraq. Hussein conveyed this message during a phone call on Sunday with Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh.

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that during the call, Hussein expressed Iraq’s support for Syria in confronting terrorist groups, stating, “The destabilization of security and stability in Syria constitutes a threat to the security of the region as a whole.”

Hussein further noted the interconnected nature of regional security, asserting that “Iraq’s security is linked to the security of the region.” He underscored the importance of bolstering regional cooperation to effectively address security challenges and combat extremism.

In a significant escalation of the Syrian conflict, opposition forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham have captured Aleppo city, the entire Idlib province and are advancing into Hama. This offensive, which began on Nov. 27, has seen rebels swiftly overrun government defenses, seizing key towns and villages with minimal resistance. The rapid gains have raised concerns about the stability of President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime and the potential for further regional destabilization.

In response to these developments, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani held a telephone conversation with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.

Concurrently, Iraq has taken precautionary measures by closing its borders with Syria to prevent potential spillover of the conflict and to safeguard its national security.