Syria’s President Ahmad al-Shara decided not to attend the Arab Summit to be held in Baghdad. This was due to repeated protests and threats by Iraqi parties. It is also a setback for Prime Minister Mohammed Sudani who has been reaching out to the new Syrian government to boost his image in the region and within the country before the November elections.
On April 15 PM Sudani held an unannounced meeting with President Shara in Qatar. This was the first time the two met. Afterwards Sudani invited Shara to the Arab Summit to be held in Iraq on May 15. Sudani has been trying to establish good relations with the new Syrian regime to help with security and stability. Many Iraqis were apprehensive about the change in government next door because Shara was a former member of Al Qaeda in Iraq and created the Islamist group Jabhat al-Nusra that pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda centra. There were also fears that the Islamic State would take advantage of the fall of Assad. Sudani said it was essential for Shara to attend the summit so that these concerns could be addressed.
Shara’s background is the main reason why several Shiite parties in Iraq did not want him at the Arab Summit. In April more than 50 parliamentarians signed a petition to block Shara from coming to Iraq due to his insurgent past. Another MP filed a request for legal action against Shara for the same reason while a third politician said he was suing the president for two families who accused Shara of killing their relatives. Dawa, Qais Khazali the head of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah all voiced opposition to the president coming to Baghdad.
There was another issue at play as well which is Iraq’s next parliamentary elections. PM Sudani is running for a second term which is widely opposed by his partners in the ruling Coordination Framework. Those foes tried to use Shara against the premier to say that he was willing to work with a violent Sunni Islamist to hurt his re-election chances. The president turning down the invitation therefore is a setback for the prime minister and victory for his enemies.
SOURCES
Al Aalem, “After receiving an official invitation, an Iraqi parliamentarian files a lawsuit against Sharia,” 4/29/25
Aldroubi, Mina, “Iraqi PM says Syria presence at Arab summit crucial for regional stability,” The National, 5/2/25
Mahmoud, Sinan, “Iraqi MP seeks legal action against Syrian President Al Shara,” The National, 4/21/25
- “Iraqi MPs try to block Syria’s Al Shara from Arab Summit in Baghdad,” The National, 4/20/25
The National, “Syria’s Al Shara to skip Arab Summit in Iraq after protests against invitation,” 5/13/25
Rudaw, “Iraqi Shiite politicians at odds over Sharaa’s visit to Baghdad,” 4/20/25
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