Iraqi premier condemns Israeli attacks on Syria in 1st call with President Al-Sharaa

​​​​​​​By Laith Al-Jnaidi and Ahmed Asmar

ISTANBUL (AA) - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani affirmed his country's support for Syria on Tuesday in the face of the Israeli attacks during a call with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The conversation is the first between the two leaders since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria in December.

A statement by Al-Sudani's office said the premier hailed the formation of the new Syrian government and affirmed Iraq's "steadfast position in support of the choices of the brotherly Syrian people."

He pledged Iraq’s support for "the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria, as well as its rejection of all foreign interventions."

A statement from the Syrian Presidency said the conversation reviewed relations and affirmed cooperation in the face of regional challenges and tensions.

They also discussed border security and cooperation to combat smuggling.

Al-Sudani met Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani in Baghdad last month, affirming Iraq's "firm and consistent stance in respecting" the choices of the Syrian people.

Iraq is one of the few Arab countries that maintained relations with the former Syrian regime after it violently suppressed a 2011 uprising.

But Following Assad's fall, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani cautiously remarked in a statement: “We are coordinating with Syria regarding border security and the return of refugees and are ready to offer support. We do not want Syria to become a hub for foreign conflicts.”

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period on Jan. 29.