Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Damascus on Wednesday for the first visit by an Iraqi premier to Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, meeting President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss strengthening economic cooperation, reviving Iraqi oil exports through the Baniyas pipeline, and expanding security coordination.
The visit marks a significant step in rebuilding relations between the two neighbours after years of war and isolation. According to the official Iraqi News Agency (INA), the two leaders discussed exporting Iraqi oil through the Baniyas line, increasing trade volume, and joint work to develop the agricultural sector for food and economic integration.
Iraq has recently begun exporting limited quantities of oil through Syria following the outbreak of the US-led war on Iran. Last July, the countries signed agreements to revive the Haditha-Baniyas pipeline and a memorandum of understanding with a consortium including US oil major Chevron to implement the project.
“The Iraqi and Syrian people are one people in two countries,” al-Zaidi said, according to INA, noting that “work to develop partnership and joint cooperation in various fields especially economic and social affairs, enhance security co-operation, unify positions on regional and international issues, and work to achieve peace and stability in the region.”
For his part, al-Sharaa expressed his “great appreciation for the visit of al-Zaidi and his accompanying delegation,” stressing “the depth of bilateral relations and Syria’s keenness to achieve the highest levels of cooperation between the two countries.”
The two leaders had previously met in New York last September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where they discussed strengthening political and security coordination and expanding economic and trade cooperation.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The visit signals a shift in Syria's regional reintegration after years of civil war and Assad's ouster, potentially opening the door for broader diplomatic recognition.
- Reviving the Haditha-Baniyas pipeline could give Iraq an alternative export route for its oil, reducing dependence on Gulf ports and bypassing Iran amid ongoing US-led sanctions.
- Closer security coordination between Baghdad and Damascus may affect the balance of power in Syria's northeast, where US-backed Kurdish forces are present.
Background
Iraq and Syria share a long border and deep historical ties, but relations were strained during the Syrian civil war as Iraq maintained ties with Assad's government. Following Assad's fall and the rise of the new Syrian administration under Ahmed al-Sharaa, both countries have moved to reset ties. The pipeline project dates back to agreements signed in July 2026, involving a consortium that includes Chevron.
Key Perspectives
Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi: said the two peoples are “one people in two countries” and called for developing partnership in economic, social and security fields, as well as unifying regional positions.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa: expressed appreciation for the visit and stressed “the depth of bilateral relations” and Syria’s commitment to “the highest levels of cooperation”.
What to Watch
- Progress on the Haditha-Baniyas pipeline feasibility and construction timeline, especially Chevron's role.
- Whether this visit leads to a formal reopening of the Syrian embassy in Baghdad and reciprocal appointments.
- Reaction from the US, which still maintains sanctions on Syria and has forces in the northeast; any potential waiver for oil exports.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.
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- SupportedAl-Zaidi said, “The Iraqi and Syrian people are one people in two countries.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““The Iraqi and Syrian people are one people in two countries,” Zaidi said according to INA”
- SupportedAl-Zaidi said the two countries should develop partnership and cooperation, enhance security cooperation, unify positions and work for regional peace and stability.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““work to develop partnership and joint cooperation in various fields especially economic and social affairs, enhance security co-operation, unify positions on regional and international issues, and work to achieve peace and stability in the region””
- SupportedAl-Sharaa expressed “great appreciation for the visit of al-Zaidi and his accompanying delegation” and stressed the depth of bilateral relations and Syria’s keenness for cooperation.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “the Syrian president expressed his “great appreciation for the visit of al-Zaidi and his accompanying delegation,” stressing “the depth of bilateral relations and Syria’s keenness to achieve the highest levels of cooperation between the two countries””
- Not in the sourcesAl-Zaidi arrived in Damascus on Wednesday.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has arrived in Damascus to meet with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa”
- SupportedThis was the first visit by an Iraqi prime minister to Syria since Assad fell.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “on the first visit of an Iraqi prime minister to Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad”
- Partly supportedThe leaders discussed expanding security coordination during this visit.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Al-Sharaa and al-Zaidi had previously met last September in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where they discussed ways to strengthen political and security coordination”
- SupportedDuring the current meeting, the leaders discussed oil exports through the Baniyas line, increasing trade and developing agriculture for food and economic integration.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “the two leaders discussed the export of Iraqi oil through the Baniyas line , increasing the volume of trade exchange and joint work to develop the agricultural sector to achieve food and economic integration.”
- Partly supportedThe meeting was to bolster bilateral ties and revive the oil pipeline.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The visit comes as the two neighbours seek to strengthen bilateral ties and boost economic and oil cooperation.”
- Not in the sourcesThe visit was a significant step in rebuilding relations after years of war and isolation.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The visit comes as the two neighbours seek to strengthen bilateral ties and boost economic and oil cooperation.”
- SupportedIraq had recently begun exporting limited quantities of oil through Syria following the outbreak of the US-led war on Iran.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Iraq has recently begun exporting limited quantities of oil through Syria following the outbreak of the US-led war on Iran.”
- SupportedLast July, Iraq and Syria signed agreements to revive the Haditha-Baniyas pipeline and an MoU with a consortium including Chevron to implement the project.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Last July, the two countries signed agreements to revive the Haditha Baniyas pipeline to transport Iraqi oil in addition to signing a memorandum of understanding with a consortium of three companies, most notably the American oil major Chevron to implement the project.”
- SupportedThe leaders had previously met in New York last September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and discussed political, security, economic and trade cooperation.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Al-Sharaa and al-Zaidi had previously met last September in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where they discussed ways to strengthen political and security coordination and expand economic and trade cooperation.”