President Ahmad al‑Sharaa said Syria and Iraq stand before a historic opening to deepen cooperation, reclaim independent regional decision‑making, and build capable states that can safeguard shared interests and drive development. In an interview with Iraq’s Dijlah TV aired Tuesday evening, al‑Sharaa stressed the need to centralize military authority under the state, intensify anti‑corruption efforts, and expand economic and commercial ties between the two neighbors.
He noted that both countries possess the essential foundations for strong, sovereign statehood, describing the moment as an opportunity to move beyond decades of conflict, coups and internal fragmentation. Sharaa highlighted the importance of creating conditions for the return of refugees and investing in human capital, while voicing Syria’s full support for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi’s program to combat corruption and ensure that all weapons remain exclusively under state control.
Sharaa emphasized that bilateral relations must be rooted in deep societal and grassroots connections rather than shifting political moods. He pointed to the historic, familial and tribal bonds linking Syrians and Iraqis, as well as shared hydrological resources: the Euphrates flowing across wide areas of Syria and the Tigris forming part of the international border. These natural ties, he said, reinforce a common past, present and future.
Strategic Geopolitical and Economic Hubs
Describing Syria as Iraq’s maritime gateway to the Mediterranean, Sharaa outlined the country’s role as a strategic corridor connecting Western markets to Iraq and onward to the Arabian Gulf. This connectivity, he said, is reflected in the integration of the ports of Tartus and Fao, overland trade routes linking Saudi Arabia to Syria through Iraq, and corridors extending from Türkiye across Syrian territory into Iraq. He also underscored the enduring importance of oil export routes to Mediterranean ports, recalling the historic Tapline pipeline of the 1950s.
Sharaa welcomed Baghdad’s positive stance toward the new administration in Damascus, praising former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al‑Sudani for steering policy in the right direction. Regional stability, he argued, is mutually reinforcing: a stable Iraq benefits Syria, and a stable Syria benefits Iraq. Over the past eighteen months, he added, Syria has undergone rapid transformations, rebuilding international relations, strengthening national unity, and revitalizing its geopolitical position and economic infrastructure.
Security Coordination and Border Stability
On security, border management and counter‑terrorism, Sharaa said Damascus has maintained a clear and consistent policy: the state must hold the exclusive monopoly on armed force. Reflecting on Syria’s own experience with multiple factions during its transition, he noted that integrating armed groups was achieved through consensus, prioritizing economic development, institution‑building and security stabilization.
He confirmed that high‑level security coordination between Damascus and Baghdad ensures stable borders and continuous communication to address emerging threats. Regarding ISIS, Sharaa cautioned that although extremist capabilities have sharply diminished, complacency would be dangerous. Regional fragmentation, he warned, creates fertile ground for extremist ideologies, making sustained cooperation and the integration of armed entities into formal state institutions essential.
Turning to the issue of Syrian detainees transferred to Iraqi authorities by the international coalition during a period of border clashes, Sharaa said discussions with Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council—including a visit by its president to Damascus—resulted in an agreement to establish a structured review mechanism. The program will categorize detainees, assess any affiliation with ISIS, and determine the framework for repatriation.
Economic Integration and Agricultural Vision
Sharaa described economic ties as the natural foundation of bilateral relations, pointing to ongoing cooperation in energy and trade. He referenced discussions on oil projects involving regional and American firms, stressing the priority of restoring pipeline infrastructure to Baniyas. He also noted a surge in commercial transport, with tens of thousands of transit and import‑export trucks crossing the border in recent months, alongside growing Iraqi investments in sectors such as cement production.
On agriculture and water resources, Sharaa called for a strategic vision treating the estimated 80 to 100 million dunums of arable land across Syria and Iraq as a shared food basket capable of serving 100 to 130 million people. By integrating modern agricultural technologies in partnership with countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands, he said, both nations can optimize water use and significantly increase yields.
Reflections on the Past and a Vision for the Future
Reflecting on his personal history, Sharaa recalled traveling to Iraq in 2003 at the age of eighteen, driven by a personal conviction to stand with the Iraqi people against the American invasion rather than by any organizational or security affiliation. Imprisoned from 2005 to 2011, he expressed deep respect for the resilience, generosity and hospitality of Iraqis, noting that many figures in contemporary Iraqi politics share similar formative experiences opposing foreign occupation.
In his closing message to the Iraqi people and political leadership, Sharaa said the region stands at a critical juncture that requires leaders to speak honestly to their populations and prioritize development over historical grievances. He affirmed that Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi’s reform program offers the right path for overcoming more than two decades of instability, enabling both nations to harness their sovereign resources, secure their borders and chart an independent, prosperous future.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
