Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will not attend the upcoming Arab League Summit in Baghdad. This decision, confirmed by Syrian state media, follows controversy surrounding the invitation extended by Iraq to Sharaa, a former rebel leader. Asaad al-Shibani, Syria’s Foreign Minister, will lead the delegation at the summit, which is expected to focus on issues related to Gaza reconstruction and the Palestinian situation.
Sharaa’s absence underscores Syria’s complex efforts to establish relationships in the region after the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad last year. While Sharaa has made positive strides with Sunni-majority Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, he has approached relations with Shi’ite-majority Iraq more cautiously due to Iran’s influence.
Sharaa has a contentious history, having fought with Al-Qaeda in Iraq and later forming Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that contributed to Assad’s downfall. His invitation to the summit led to backlash from Shi’ite factions in Iraq, which criticized his role in sectarian violence against them. A petition from at least 57 Shi’ite lawmakers requested that Sharaa be barred from the summit, suggesting that he could potentially face legal repercussions, although Iraqi officials denied any such plans.
The division continues to reflect the broader geopolitical tensions within the region, as many Sunni politicians welcome any move towards closer ties with Arab states as a counterbalance to Iranian influence in Iraq. Meanwhile, Syria’s internal political landscape remains precarious, with ongoing concerns about Sharaa’s safety in Iraq amidst vocal criticisms from his detractors.
This circumstance highlights the fragility of regional alliances and the potential for conflict. However, amid the challenges, there exists an opportunity for Syria’s new leadership under Sharaa to foster dialogue and potentially strengthen ties with other Arab nations, promoting a vision of unity that could lead to improved security and cooperation in the years ahead.
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