Recent developments suggest a potential thaw in the frosty relations between Damascus and Ankara, yet a significant breakthrough remains elusive. Despite the challenging outlook, Baghdad is hopeful of replicating its past success in mediating between adversaries.
In April 2021, Iraq played a crucial role in facilitating a secret meeting between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, initiated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS). This initial dialogue, led by Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji, eventually paved the way for the normalization of relations between Riyadh and Tehran, announced in Beijing in March 2023. Additionally, Iraq has hosted talks between representatives from Iran and Egypt, spearheaded by Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani.
Prime Minister Sudani has now expressed hopes of advancing reconciliation between Syria and Turkey. In an interview with Turkish newspaper Haberturk, he referenced ongoing discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Despite Sudani’s optimism, skepticism remains prevalent. Official statements from Baghdad and Damascus did not mention a Syrian-Turkish thaw following his recent conversation with Assad. However, an Iraqi government source cited by Shafaq News Agency suggested efforts are underway to restore relations, with an upcoming Iraqi-mediated meeting expected between Ankara and Damascus representatives.
