Iraq |
Syria |
Iraqi-Syrian relations have been marked by their long shared border as well as historical, social, political, cultural and economic links. The land known as Mesopotamia is Iraq and eastern Syria and is called such by its inhabitants. Political relations between Iraq and Syria have in the past seen difficulties, however, new diplomatic relations described by both sides as "Historic" were established in November 2006, which they heralded as the beginning of an era of close cooperation between Iraq and Syria.[1]
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Ever since King Faisal took the Iraqi throne in the early 1920s, Iraqi leaders have dreamed of unifying the two countries. Unity dreams only led to bad relations between other Arab countries. Even during the thaw in Iraqi-Syrian relations during the last years of Saddam Hussein, relations between the two countries were not good. Distrust between the rival Baathist regimes, built up over three decades, could not be dispelled in a few short years. With an entirely new leadership in Iraq, the situation is now promising, as new possibilities are arising. Syria is developing good relations with almost every segment and political faction in Iraq.[2]
Efforts by Syrians and Iraqis to unite Iraq and Syria into one country have existed since the creation of the modern states.
Efforts by Syrians and Iraqis to unite Iraq and Syria into one country have existed since the creation of the modern states. Hostility between Syria and Iraq started in the 1960s when both were ruled by the Baath Party. Syria closed its embassy in Baghdad after Saddam Hussein took power in 1979.[3] Later, Syria joined the anti-Saddam coalition that liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in the 1991 Gulf War. Up until the renewal of diplomatic ties in 2006, Iraqi leaders often accused Syria of trying to destabilize their country by allowing Sunni Arab foreign fighters to cross the border Iraq shares with Syria.
Relations with Syria have been marred by traditional rivalry for pre-eminence in Arab affairs, allegations of involvement in each other’s internal politics, and disputes over the waters of Euphrates River, oil transit fees, and stances toward Israel. Syria broke relations after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 and joined other Arab countries in sending military forces to the coalition that forced Iraq out of Kuwait. Relations remained cool until Bashar al-Asad became President of Syria in 2000.
Although the official relations between the two countries were suspended in the past, Syrian-Iraqi relations experienced remarkable developments in recent years and the reciprocal visits between the two countries have led to a number of agreements on economic cooperation including an agreement for resuming pumping of oil through the Syrian territories which was suspended in 1982.
Syria strongly opposed the occupation of Iraq in 2003, stressing the necessity to maintain the independence of Iraq and support its political process, demanding a time table for the withdrawal of the foreign troops from Iraq. Syria has also played the host for more than 2 million Iraqis, providing refuge for them.
Syria and Iraq formally ended more than twenty years of diplomatic estrangement, when Syria's foreign minister, Walid Muallem, visited Iraq in 2006, which was the first such meeting since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003.[4] Ambassadors were established later in 2006.[5] On 23 August 2009 the Iraqi government aired a taped conversation linking two members of the Syria-based Iraqi Baathist movement, Sattam Farhan and Mohammed Younis al-Ahmed, with the 19 August 2009 Baghdad bombings which claimed more than 100 lives.[5] The Syrian foreign ministry denied Syrian involvement in the attack. On 25 August Iraq summoned its ambassador to return from Syria, the Syrian government issued a similar order to its ambassador within hours in retaliation.[5] Responsibility for the attack was later claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq, an Al-Qaeda umbrella group.[5]
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