Faiq Zidan emphasizes ‘Iraq first’ approach in dealing with events in Syria

BAGHDAD – Faiq Zidan, president of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, underscored the importance of an “Iraq first” approach in addressing developments in Syria during a high-level meeting of the Iraqi officials held in Baghdad on Sunday.

The meeting examined Syria’s security and political implications for Iraq and outlined measures to safeguard the nation’s borders and stability.

Full statement from the Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council:

At the invitation of President Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, and with the attendance of Prime Minister Mr. Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, Speaker of Parliament Dr. Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, and President of the Supreme Judicial Council Judge Dr. Faiq Zidan, the State Administration Coalition held a meeting on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at the Baghdad Palace to discuss developments in Syria and their security and political implications for the security and stability of Iraq and the region as a whole, as well as to follow up on the conditions of Iraqi nationals in Syria and the necessity of ensuring a safe return for those wishing to do so.

During his intervention, the President of the Supreme Judicial Council stressed that Iraq’s stance on the developments in Syria should be based on the principle of “Iraq first,” prioritizing Iraq’s interests above all else and addressing the evolving situation in Syria accordingly.

The attendees reviewed measures taken to secure Iraqi territories from any repercussions of the events in Syria and emphasized the importance of intensifying security efforts along the Iraqi-Syrian border and supporting government actions to protect border security.

The meeting reassured the Iraqi people that security measures are already in place to ensure the safety and security of citizens from any potential threats.

The meeting reaffirmed Iraq’s firm position on the need to preserve Syria’s unity, security, and stability, stressing the importance of respecting Syrian sovereignty and the choices of the Syrian people to live in peace and security. It also called on the international community to intensify efforts to support genuine stability in the region.

The attendees emphasized a unified political stance on regional developments, the establishment of a roadmap to define Iraq-Syria relations, and called for increased engagement with Arab and friendly nations.