Baghdad: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid a surprise visit to Iraq on Friday, holding talks with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The discussions centered on Syria’s political future, with Blinken advocating for a non-sectarian administration to lead the country after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
This visit is part of a broader diplomatic mission across the Middle East, aimed at uniting Arab and Turkish allies around key principles for Syria’s transition. These principles emphasize inclusivity, minority rights, and the prevention of extremist factions from taking power.
The unexpected and rapid fall of Assad’s government, following 13 years of brutal civil war, caught Washington off guard. The Biden administration is now urging the victorious rebel factions to establish a government that rejects Islamist influences and prioritizes democratic values.
During his time in Baghdad, Blinken visited the U.S. embassy and discussed regional security concerns with Sudani.
“As Syria transitions from the Assad dictatorship to hopefully a democracy, it does so in a way that, of course, protects all of the minorities in Syria, that produces an inclusive, nonsectarian government and does not become, in any way, a platform for terrorism,” Blinken stated at the embassy.
He underscored Iraq’s unique understanding of these challenges, given its ongoing struggle with ISIS, also known as Daesh. “No one knows the importance of that more than Iraq, because of the ongoing presence of ISIS or Daesh in Syria, and we are determined to make sure that Daesh cannot reemerge,” he added.
Addressing Syria’s Complex Aftermath
The Biden administration and allied governments have begun engaging with various Syrian rebel groups to manage the post-Assad transition. Among these is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group previously aligned with al Qaeda and designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., European Union, Turkey, and the United Nations. HTS claims to have severed ties with al Qaeda and disavows ambitions in Iraq.
Following his Iraq visit, Blinken will travel to Jordan for a meeting with Arab and Turkish foreign ministers to further discuss Syria’s transition.
Countering Iran’s Regional Influence
Iraq plays a pivotal role in Iran’s regional influence network, often referred to as the “Axis of Resistance,” which includes Hamas and Hezbollah. However, the recent shifts in regional dynamics, particularly following Israel’s response to Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023, present a potential opportunity for the U.S. to curtail Iran’s influence.
A U.S. official highlighted this strategic moment, saying Washington sees it as a chance to push back against Tehran’s regional reach.
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“I reaffirmed…our commitment to working with Iraq on security and always working for Iraq’s sovereignty to make sure that that is strengthened and preserved,” Blinken said during his visit.
Iraq has opted to keep its Shi’ite militias out of Syria despite concerns that the ongoing unrest could spill over its borders. Thousands of Sunni fighters who fled Iraq after the 2003 U.S. invasion have been active in Syria, fueling conflicts and later returning as part of ISIS to wreak havoc in the region.
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As Syria’s opposition forces, led by HTS, advance, Iraq has stationed thousands of troops along its border. These include conventional military forces and the Popular Mobilization Forces, a group comprising many Iran-aligned armed factions with prior involvement in Syria’s conflict.
