Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq have explicitly threatened to assassinate the Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, if he visited Baghdad. [Getty]
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani’s previously postponed visit to Baghdad has been rescheduled following diplomatic negotiations amid persistent security concerns.
Al-Shaibani will soon visit Baghdad, following discussions aimed at overcoming previous security concerns and political opposition regarding his first official trip to Iraq, a senior Iraqi diplomatic source told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab’s Arabic-language sister publication, on Thursday.
Originally planned for 22 February, the visit was unexpectedly postponed after Iraqi armed factions and militia groups launched a hostile social media campaign against the minister’s presence.Â
Iraq‘s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein previously attributed the delay to these threats and negative online campaigns. Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq have explicitly threatened to assassinate the Syrian Foreign Minister if he visited Baghdad and made similar threats against Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, should he attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad, scheduled for 17 May.
Yet, Arian Taugozi, a member of the Iraqi Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee, downplayed these threats, describing them to TNAÂ as “merely social media rhetoric” and “not representative of any official stance by the committee, parliament, or the Iraqi government”.
In terms of Iraq‘s capability to ensure the security of Syrian officials, Taugozi emphasised, “It is an international obligation and a duty of the Iraqi state to protect the security of diplomatic delegations formally invited to Iraq.”
Al-Shaibani’s rescheduled visit follows successful diplomatic exchanges at the recent Conference of Syria’s Neighbours held in Amman, Jordan. According to the diplomatic source, the conference clarified several complex issues and established groundwork essential for renewed dialogue between Iraq and Syria. Coordination between Hussein and al-Shaibani has been instrumental in restarting formal diplomatic communications.
The upcoming discussions will primarily address security collaboration and recent incidents affecting the Syrian community in Iraq. Recent violence and arrests targeting Syrians due to social media activities have underscored the urgency of these diplomatic conversations. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has already ordered a comprehensive investigation into these events, underscoring accountability as a priority.
Despite diplomatic progress, officials remain cautious about immediate full diplomatic normalisation between Baghdad and Damascus, especially given the recent administrative changes in Syria. Nevertheless, Iraqi officials anticipate that the visit will notably strengthen communication channels and reduce the influence of armed factions opposing diplomatic engagement.
“The visit is unlikely to lead to immediate normalisation,” remarked the Iraqi official, “but it will undoubtedly facilitate crucial direct conversations, highlighting Iraq‘s commitment to maintaining diplomacy independent of militia pressures.”
