A high-level trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Iraq, Iran, and Syria is underway in Baghdad, focusing on border security and the escalating conflict in Syria. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam al-Sabbagh, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are leading the discussions aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and stability.

Iraq has taken the initiative to strengthen its borders with both Iran and Syria, a move it says is crucial for its own security and for assisting the Syrian government in regaining control over its territories. Kurdistan24 correspondent Shivan Jabbari reported that “Iraq aims to coordinate closely with its neighbors to reinforce border areas and support the Syrian government.”

The meeting comes as armed anti-government groups in Syria recently seized control of Aleppo and Hama, with reports indicating they are advancing towards Homs. The Syrian conflict’s renewed intensity has drawn regional attention, with Baghdad playing a pivotal role in mediating solutions.

On Thursday, the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, issued a public appeal to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, urging him to prevent Iraq from becoming entangled in the Syrian conflict. Al-Jolani specifically called for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMFs) to abstain from involvement in the ongoing clashes.

However, reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) suggest that over 200 armed Iraqi fighters have already entered Syria to support the Syrian Army. The involvement of these forces has sparked debate in Iraq, with political leaders and factions divided over the country’s role in the neighboring conflict.

Prominent figures such as Muqtada al-Sadr and Khamis al-Khanjar have advocated for non-interference, while Iranian-backed groups, including Kataeb Hezbollah, are pressuring Baghdad to take a more active stance in Syria.

The trilateral meeting reflects Iraq’s balancing act between addressing internal security concerns and navigating the complex regional dynamics of the Syrian conflict. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to shape Iraq’s policy and its role in fostering stability across the region.