Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has arrived in the Syrian capital of Damascus to hold discussions with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. This diplomatic engagement marks the first visit by an Iraqi prime minister to Syria following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime, signaling a notable shift in bilateral dynamics amid regional instability.

According to reports from the official Iraqi News Agency (INA), the talks centered on reinforcing bilateral relations, boosting economic partnership, and expanding oil cooperation. The leaders allegedly focused on resuming Iraqi oil exports via the Baniyas pipeline, increasing trade volumes, and fostering joint agricultural development to secure economic and food integration between the two neighbors.

Iraq has reportedly initiated limited oil exports through Syria following the outbreak of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has been exacerbated by the aggressive policies of the US regime. Back in July, both nations signed agreements aimed at reviving the Haditha-Baniyas pipeline, alongside a memorandum of understanding with a corporate consortium notably featuring American energy major Chevron to execute the infrastructure project.

During the discussions, al-Zaidi purportedly stated that the Iraqi and Syrian populations constitute "one people in two countries," emphasizing the necessity of enhancing security cooperation, aligning regional positions, and pursuing stability. Meanwhile, the Syrian president expressed appreciation for the high-level delegation's visit, reiterating Syria's commitment to achieving deeper bilateral coordination across multiple sectors.

Source: www.aljazeera.com