Iraq: Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Mohammad Al-Sudani has issued a warning about the increasing presence of the so-called Islamic State (IS) and other extremist groups in Syrian prisons, citing that the ongoing instability in Syria poses a significant threat to regional security and demands immediate international intervention.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Sudani conveyed his concerns during a meeting with ambassadors from European Union countries accredited to Iraq. He emphasized Iraq's commitment to a "transparent and inclusive" political process in Syria, advocating for concrete actions to reject terrorism, combat extremism, and uphold human rights. These steps, he noted, are essential to reassuring all Syrian communities.
Al-Sudani stressed that Iraq views Syria's stability as both a national and regional priority. He highlighted that a stable and unified Syria, where all groups coexist peacefully, is a key factor for ensuring regional security. Additionally, he mentioned that Iraq had implemented border security measures two years ago and assured that Iraqi security forces are fully prepared to secure the borders.
The Prime Minister's comments come amidst ongoing military operations and armed clashes in Syria involving the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), primarily occurring along the Iraqi-Syrian border.
In a related development, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a meeting with the US Special Envoy to Syria and US Ambassador to Turkiye Thomas Barrack in Ankara. The discussions followed a recent Syrian-Kurdish ceasefire and integration agreement, which was reached after the Syrian army reclaimed significant eastern and northeastern territories.