US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has made an unannounced visit to Iraq as he seeks to rally support across the Middle East for a peaceful political transition in Syria.

Blinken met Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and gave assurance of US’ “commitment to working with Iraq on security and always working for Iraq’s sovereignty, to make sure that that is strengthened and preserved.”

He added, “I think this is a moment as well for Iraq to reinforce its own sovereignty as well as its stability, security and success going forward.”

The United States maintains about 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 more in Syria as part of a campaign to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State.

Iraq’s government has urged respect for the “free will” of all Syrians and the country’s territorial integrity after Assad’s fall.

The deposed Syrian leader hailed from a rival faction of the Baath party of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, ousted in a 2003 US-led invasion.

During Blinken’s trip to Iraq, the US’s top diplomat warned against the resurgence of ISIS, also known by the Arabic acronym; Daesh.

“The United States [and] Iraq, together had tremendous success in taking away the territorial caliphate that Daesh had created years ago.

“No one knows the importance of that more than Iraq because of the ongoing presence of ISIS [ISIL], or Daesh, in Syria, and we are determined to make sure that Daesh cannot re-emerge.”
Antony Blinken

Blinken and al-Sudani discussed “the conviction of so many countries in the region and beyond that 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.”

Blinken added that Syria should not become a “platform for terrorism.”

Blinken also reaffirmed the US’s commitment to working with Iraq on security.

Iraqi Prime Minister Stresses Importance Of Preventing Assaults On Syrian Territory

Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in his meeting with Blinken, stressed the importance of preventing aggression or assaults on Syrian territory, warning that such actions would jeopardize regional security and stability.

The Iraqi Premier reiterated his country’s stance on supporting Syria during this critical phase and emphasized the importance of friendly nations assisting the Syrians in rebuilding their state and addressing challenges that could impact their civil peace.

The statement also quoted Blinken as emphasizing the need to respect the Syrian people’s choices and work toward forming an inclusive government that reflects the will of the Syrian people and their diverse components.

Blinken arrived in Baghdad after stopping in Turkey, where he also emphasised that it was “imperative” to work against a resurgence of ISIL.

He met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who assured Blinken that his country would not ease up in the fight against ISIL in Syria despite its operations against Kurdish fighters who have allied with the US in the fight against the group.

Erdogan said, “Turkey will never allow any weakness to arise in the fight against Daesh,” while promising not to let up in his government’s pursuit of groups it sees as a threat to national security.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan told Blinken that Turkey is committed to ensuring stability in Syria “as soon as possible” and preventing ISIL fighters from gaining a foothold there.

Blinken also said that he saw “encouraging signs” of progress towards a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, urging Turkey to use its influence to encourage the Palestinian group Hamas to accept a proposed deal.