Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani and his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein have held talks in Damascus aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across political, security, economic and trade fields.
According to Iraq’s state news agency INA, discussions on Monday focused on reviewing “bilateral relations and expanding prospects for joint cooperation between the two countries.”
Syrian state media SANA said the talks at Tishreen Palace covered ways to enhance cooperation in all fields.
Hussein’s visit on Monday, made at the invitation of al Shaibani, is the first by an Iraqi foreign minister to Damascus since the political transition in Syria following the removal of long-time dictator Bashar al Assad in late 2024.
The trip signals a gradual shift in Iraq’s approach as it moves from initial caution toward deeper engagement with Syria’s new leadership under Ahmed al Sharaa.
An Iraqi diplomatic source told AFP that Hussein is also expected to meet President Sharaa.
The visit seeks to "deepen joint cooperation in various political, security, economic and trade fields" and address regional and international developments, according to a statement from Hussein's office.
His meetings will also explore "ways of strengthening coordination and consultation" on shared challenges, it added.
Opening long-closed border crossings
Relations between the two neighbours have been reshaped in recent years by conflict and shifting alliances related to previous administrations in Baghdad.
Iraq is now seeking to strengthen trade links and improve cross-border connectivity as Syria continues to emerge from years of civil war.
In recent months, Baghdad has also begun limited oil exports through Syrian territory and reopened a major border crossing, Yarubiyah, closed for more than a decade.
Three crossings between the countries are now operational, reflecting efforts to restore trade routes and integrate regional transport links connecting the Gulf and Türkiye.
Hussein is the most senior Iraqi official to visit Damascus since the change of power, although other delegations have travelled earlier, including intelligence officials soon after Assad’s fall and Syrian representatives visiting Baghdad last year.
Iraqi intelligence chief Hamid al Shatri visited the month Assad was ousted, while Syria's Shaibani made his first trip to Baghdad in March last year.
