Iran, Iraq join Syria in warning rebel advance a ‘danger for the stability of the region’

BAGHDAD — Iran and Iraq issued a joint statement with Syria on Friday warning that sweeping rebel gains at the expense of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces posed a danger to the whole region

“Threats against Syria’s security constitute a danger for the stability of the region,” said the statement issued after a meeting of the three countries’ foreign ministers.

“There is no alternative to coordination, cooperation and diplomatic consultation” if the “risks of escalation” are to be avoided, the ministers said.

They underlined the “need for Arab, regional and international action to bring about peaceful resolutions to the challenges facing Syria and the region.”

Earlier, Iran’s Abbas Araghchi pledged to provide Assad’s government with “whatever [support] is needed” to tackle the rebel advance.

Iraq’s Fuad Hussein said security forces were “on high alert”.

Friday’s meeting in Baghdad came ahead of talks in Doha this weekend that will see Damascus allies Moscow and Tehran sit down with opposition-supporting Ankara.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he hoped the rebel advance would go off “without incident”.

Hussein praised the role of Iraq’s armed forces, including the army, Popular Mobilization Forces, and Peshmerga, in maintaining national security.

He also disclosed ongoing diplomatic efforts to organize an international conference in Baghdad aimed at reaching consensus among key stakeholders, alongside plans to convene another meeting under the framework of the Arab League.

Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh expressed gratitude to Iraq for hosting the trilateral talks.

He denounced external interventions in Syria, describing them as driven by “historical ambitions”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi echoed the concerns about regional security, warning that Syria could become a safe haven for “terrorist groups” if decisive action is not taken.

“The repercussions of such a scenario would be catastrophic for the entire region,” Araqchi said.

Additional reporting by AFP