Arab League summit to proceed without curfews or road closures, Iraq says

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari said Tuesday that the upcoming Arab League Summit in Baghdad will go ahead without road closures or curfews, although security forces will be widely deployed throughout the city.

“The Arab League Summit security plan will not involve road closures or the imposition of curfews, but security deployment will be extensive,” he told Al Arabiya.

The 34th regular Arab Summit is scheduled for May 17 in Baghdad. The potential participation of Syria’s interim president, Ahmad Al-Sharaa — also known as Abu Mohammed Al-Jonali — has sparked pushback within Iraq’s political arena.

Al-Shammari said Iraq has not received a request to provide security guarantees for Al-Sharaa but confirmed that preparations are underway to secure all visiting delegations, including the Syrian one.

He added that Iraq maintains strong coordination with Saudi Arabia on border control and intelligence exchange but said there is “no security coordination” between the Iraqi and Syrian Interior Ministries.

Excerpts from Abdul Amir Al-Shammari’s interview with Al Arabiya:

The Arab League Summit security plan will not involve road closures or the imposition of curfews, but security deployment will be extensive.

Iraq has not been asked to provide security guarantees for the attendance of Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa. Security forces have completed preparations to protect all leaders, including Syrian President Al-Sharaa.

No Syrian delegations have contacted us regarding the security arrangements for Al-Sharaa’s visit to Baghdad.

The situation on the Iraqi-Syrian border is reassuring, with comprehensive measures in place to secure it.

A portion of the Syrian border is under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Iraq is addressing each area based on its threat level. Areas near the Al-Qaim border crossing are free of Syrian forces, and Iraq has increased its troop presence in those areas.

All border crossings with Syria remain closed.

The decision to ban Iranian opposition activities applies only to Kurdish parties, as there is no broader Iranian opposition presence in Iraq.

There is substantial coordination with Saudi Arabia concerning border issues and intelligence sharing.

No security coordination currently exists between the Iraqi and Syrian Ministries of Interior.