Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani (right) meeting with a German delegation in Baghdad on December 11, 2024. Photo: Sudani's office
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Wednesday received a German delegation, led by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, to discuss the situation in Syria and bilateral relations months after Germany extended its military mission in the country.
“The meeting focused on the situation in Syria, recent developments, and the European and international role in supporting the Syrian people to achieve stability while preserving Syria’s unity and security,” read a statement from Sudani’s office.
“Both sides emphasized the importance of non-interference in Syria’s internal affairs, affirming that the Syrian people alone should determine their country’s future,” added the statement.
Iraq is concerned that it may be affected by Syria’s civil conflict as a coalition of Syrian rebels led by the Islamists Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has taken control of swathes of land in Syria, including Damascus. Earlier this week, they ended Bashar al-Assad’s decades-long reign.
Sudani and the German delegation also discussed different possibilities for joint cooperation, with Sudani highlighting Germany’s supportive role within NATO’s missions and the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), reaffirming Iraq’s commitment to maintaining strong relations with Germany as an “essential economic partner.”
With military bases in Baghdad and Erbil, the German forces have been an essential member of the coalition that was established in October 2014 after ISIS took control of vast swathes of territories in Iraq and Syria.
German troops are also in Iraq as part of NATO’s mission, which focuses on security sector reforms.
The German Defence Ministry said in a post on X that their NATO mission in Iraq "will gain greater significance,” and that through advising Iraqi security forces, “we aim to enhance stability in this volatile region.”
In September, the German government requested parliamentary authorization to prolong its military presence in Iraq with the deployment of 500 soldiers until January 31, 2026.
In October, the German parliament overwhelmingly voted in favor of the request to extend Berlin’s military mission in Iraq for another 15 months.
Kurdistan Region's President Nechirvan Barzani welcomed the decision at the time.
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