Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa welcomed an Iraqi delegation on Friday, led by Hamid al-Shatri, Head of the Iraqi Intelligence Service, during a meeting at the People’s Palace in Damascus.
At the center of the discussions was a personal message from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, officially inviting President al-Sharaa to attend the upcoming Arab Summit. The summit is scheduled to be held in Baghdad on May 17th.
According to officials present, al-Shatri “conveyed the confirmation of Prime Minister al-Sudani, stressing the importance of Syria’s participation at the Arab Summit in Baghdad.” The invitation signals a broader push for regional reconciliation and cooperation.
During their meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. “Iraq stands firmly by Syria’s stability and territorial integrity,” al-Shatri said, emphasizing the significance of joint action to enhance security across the region.
Beyond political matters, the two countries agreed to encourage investments and sign new trade deals, particularly in the oil and grain sectors. They also discussed activating the al-Tanf–al-Walid border crossing and forming joint committees to monitor trade and security cooperation.
The Iraqi Prime Minister’s invitation marks a major diplomatic gesture, reinforcing efforts to reintegrate Syria into regional forums and rebuild Arab solidarity.
