Yesterday, Sunday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad discussed in Damascus with Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries, according to what the Syrian presidency announced. And the Syrian presidency announced that al-Sudani, who arrived Sunday morning in Damascus, discussed with the Syrian president “strengthening cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including trade exchange, transport and industry, and permanent coordination on various political issues, in addition to joint efforts in combating terrorism.” The media office of the Iraqi Prime Minister stated that the talks included “the prospects for expanding exchange in the fields of economy, transport, trade, tourism, water and confronting the effects of climate change,” as well as “joint security coordination in the field of combating terrorism and strengthening the security of the two countries.” The two countries share a border of 600 km in mostly desert areas, the security file of which is a major issue between them, especially with regard to the activity of ISIS and drug smuggling. The Iraqi Prime Minister said that the extension and control of the Syrian state over all of its territory is a matter of Iraqi national security. He pointed out that Iraq and Syria are facing the challenge of water scarcity, and action must be taken with the upstream countries to ensure fair water shares for the two countries.
