Iran stresses as vital regional support for Syria, Iraq in anti-terror fight
FMs of Iran, Iraq, Syria discuss resurgence of terrorism
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized during a meeting in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Friday that the support of all regional countries for the governments of Syria and Iraq in their fight against terrorism is vital.
Araqchi, who was in Baghdad to attend a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers from Iran, Iraq, and Syria, met with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, during which he stated that the failure of regional countries to address and eliminate terrorism in Syria will lead to the country becoming a hub and safe haven for terrorist groups throughout the region, as reported by IRNA.
Foreign-backed armed groups led by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Shams Takfiri group carried out a surprise assault in Syria’s Aleppo and Idlib countryside last month, and overran a number of villages and towns before entering Aleppo on November 27.
Syria has been gripped by foreign-sponsored militancy since March 2011, with Damascus saying the Western states and their regional allies are aiding terrorist groups to wreak havoc in the Arab country.
During the Friday meeting, the Iraqi prime minister also expressed his gratitude for Iran’s support in promoting stability and security in the region, particularly in Iraq.
Sudani emphasized the significance of continuous consultations with Iran, particularly in light of the current volatile situation in the region, especially in Syria, and highlighted the necessity for both countries to collaborate closely.
“What is happening in Syria is inseparable from the events that took place in Gaza and Lebanon, which have threatened the security and stability of the region,” he said.
The Iraqi prime minister emphasized the significance of stability and security in Syria for Iraq and the entire region, and reaffirmed his country’s readiness to back the Syrian government and people in overcoming the current challenges and tackling terrorism.
On Friday, the foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq, and Syria met in the Iraqi capital to discuss the latest developments in Syria.
Speaking to reporters, Araghchi said the unfolding developments in the Arab country necessitate protracted and serious negotiations.
He said the status quo in West Asia, particularly in Syria, is very sensitive, requiring consultations and coordination among all concerned countries.
Araghchi also conveyed his country’s readiness to support the Syrian government, people, and army as needed.
In a separate meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, Araghchi stated that the ongoing instability and insecurity in Syria pose a threat to the security of all regional countries “as terrorist groups backed by the Zionist regime and the United States have a long-term plan to create chaos and violence in the region.”
Araghchi reiterated the importance of coordination and consultation with regional countries to prevent the spread of insecurity.
Iraqi foreign minister also underscored his country’s principled stance on supporting Syria’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, as well as its fight against terrorism.
Hussein acknowledged the tangible threat of terrorism to the Iraqi government and people, and revealed that Iraq has launched extensive diplomatic efforts at the regional and international levels to garner support for countering takfiri terrorism.
Astana Process
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Turkey, Iran and Russia will meet in Doha today as part of the Astana Process, established to seek a political solution to the 13-year-old Syrian conflict.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has announced that he will meet with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts in Doha to discuss the ongoing situation in Syria. The main focus of the meeting will be to address recent developments and work toward stabilizing the region.
Region is in a bind: Erdogan
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday he hoped Syrian rebels would continue their advance against President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in Syria, but voiced concern about terrorist organizations in their midst, Reuters reported.
Erdogan told reporters after Friday prayers he was closely following the push which he said was heading to the Syrian capital. But he suggested he had mixed feelings, given some of the forces involved.
“The target is Damascus,” he said. “I would say we hope for this advance to continue without any issues.”
“However, while this resistance there with terrorist organizations is continuing, we had made a call to Assad,” he added, referring to his approaches to Assad earlier this year to meet and normalize ties after more than a decade of animosity.
“These problematic advances continuing as a whole in the region are not in a manner we desire; our heart does not want these. Unfortunately, the region is in a bind,” he said, without elaborating.
As insurgents pressed on with their offensive against government forces, a senior UN official warned on Friday that up to 1.5 million people could be forced to flee a surge in fighting in Syria.
The violence has already displaced 280,000 people since it erupted in late November, Samer AbdelJaber, the World Food Program’s Director for Emergency Coordination, Strategic Analysis and Humanitarian Diplomacy, told reporters in Geneva.