‘Maintaining stability’: Khazali, Hakim meet as Syria conflict intensifies

BAGHDAD — Qais al-Khazali, secretary-general of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, met with Ammar al-Hakim, head of Al-Hikma Movement, in Baghdad on Tuesday to discuss political and security developments in Iraq and the region.

According to a statement from Khazali’s media office, both sides emphasized “the importance of prioritizing dialogue and understanding among political forces, and joint work to confront current challenges in a way that serves the country’s higher interest.”

The meeting addressed the current political and security situation in Iraq and ongoing events in Syria. The statement noted the importance of “maintaining stability, supporting military and security forces, and closely monitoring developments.”

The meeting comes as the security landscape in northeastern Syria shifts sharply. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, long backed by the U.S.-led coalition and central to the campaign that dismantled the Islamic State’s territorial control in 2019, have faced mounting pressure amid renewed fighting and the unraveling of a ceasefire and integration agreement with Syria’s transitional government shortly after it was announced.

Earlier in day, Iraq’s interior minister said the country’s border with Syria is “fully secured” and warned that any attempt to approach the frontier would be met with immediate gunfire, as fighting escalates in northeastern Syria.

Kurdish leaders have warned that the renewed offensive has displaced civilians and fueled fears of demographic change and ethnic targeting in Kurdish-majority areas. Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Bafel Talabani condemned the offensive, calling the attacks “unacceptable” and urging international action to protect civilians.