Baghdad: Iraq's National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji has affirmed his country's unwavering support for Syria, emphasizing Syria's security, stability, and unity among its people. Al-Araji's comments were made in the context of recent developments in the Syrian coastal region and a regional meeting in Amman, which included representatives from Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the meeting underscored support for Syria's new government and agreed on the creation of an operations room to combat the ISIS (Daesh) terror group. The discussions also included condemnation of Israeli attacks on Syria. Al-Araji highlighted the importance of a stable Syria, urging a move away from sectarianism and nationalism, and called for unity and moderation. He reiterated Iraq's commitment to standing by Syria as a "sister nation."
The comments come in the wake of significant unrest in Syria's coastal governorates of Latakia and Tartus, where coordinated attacks by remnants of the Assad regime have resulted in casualties. These attacks, the most intense since the regime's collapse, targeted security patrols and checkpoints.
Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December, the new Syrian authorities initiated a plan to reconcile with former regime members in the military and security forces, contingent on their disarmament and non-involvement in bloodshed. While many accepted the initiative, some armed groups, particularly in the coastal region, have resisted, leading to destabilization and sporadic attacks against government forces.
Bashar Assad, who led Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on December 8, 2024, marking the end of the Baath Party's long-standing rule since 1963. Ahmed al-Sharaa, a leader of the anti-regime forces, was declared president for a transitional period on January 29.