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Iraqi Divisions Emerge Over Invitation to Syria’s Interim President for Arab Summit
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The ongoing debate over judicial warrants and mutual accusations poses a diplomatic challenge for Iraq as it prepares to host the Arab Summit amid intertwined legal and political complexities
Prominent Iraqi politicians aligned with Iran’s axis have condemned the potential visit of Syria’s interim president, Ahmad Al-Shar, after Baghdad formally invited him to participate in the upcoming Arab Summit in mid-May. These statements come at a sensitive time, as both neighboring countries attempt to normalize relations amid escalating regional challenges.
This week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani—who was brought to power by Tehran-aligned Shiite factions within the "Coordination Framework"—held a previously undisclosed meeting with Al-Shar in Qatar. The official media of both countries remained silent for days before acknowledging the encounter, reflecting the delicate nature of Iraqi-Syrian rapprochement, particularly given opposition from influential domestic political forces.
Baghdad has cautiously engaged with Damascus since Bashar Al-Assad’s ouster in December, despite their former alliance. However, Al-Sudani confirmed extending an invitation to Al-Shar for the Arab Summit on May 17, marking a significant shift in bilateral relations despite internal reservations and external pressures.
Legal Hurdles and Political Backlash
Several Iraqi security sources revealed that an old arrest warrant for Al-Shar remains active in Iraq, dating back to his time as a fighter with Al-Qaeda against U.S. forces and their allies—a period that led to his imprisonment in Iraq for years. These outstanding warrants introduce legal complications to his potential visit and raise questions about diplomatic protocols for handling such cases.
In a Sunday statement, the Islamic Dawa Party, led by former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki (a key figure in the ruling coalition), demanded that "participants in the Arab Summit at any level must have clean judicial records, free of Iraqi or international charges or felonies."
