Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi described Iraqis and Syrians as 'one people in two countries' during his Damascus visit while urging expanded cooperation in economic, social, and security spheres.

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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed expanding trade, encouraging investment, and developing the agricultural sector

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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Damascus, marking the first visit by an Iraqi prime minister to Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad

The United States transferred over 5,700 Daesh group detainees from Syria to Iraq in February 2026, including around 3,000 Syrian detainees whose cases are under review for potential repatriation.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa agreed to enhance security cooperation, border security, counter-terrorism efforts, and position coordination on regional and international issues.

Iraq exports approximately 500,000 tonnes of fuel oil per month by lorry across Syria to Baniyas port while importing petrol through the same route to cover a daily shortfall of 5 million litres.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated on October 27, 2026, that Syria must bear responsibility for Syrian detainees transferred to Iraq rather than shift the burden.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that commercial traffic between Syria and Iraq increased significantly over six to seven months, including more than 100,000 transit trucks and 40,000 import and export trucks.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that the border between Syria and Iraq is completely secure and that no armed group poses a threat to the two countries.

Iraq began exporting limited quantities of oil by truck through Syria to the Mediterranean after maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted following the outbreak of the Middle East war.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed exporting Iraqi oil through the Baniyas pipeline with a capacity of up to 2 million barrels per day.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited the Sayyida Zeinab shrine and the Umayyad Mosque during his trip to Syria, donating $10 million from his personal account to the two sites.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa received Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at Damascus International Airport before holding official bilateral talks at the People’s Palace.

Iraq and Syria signed a memorandum of understanding in July 2026 to rehabilitate the Haditha-Baniyas pipeline, with a corporate consortium including U.S. energy company Chevron set to implement technical and financial studies.

Iraqi government spokesman Haider Al Aboudi stated on October 28, 2026, that economic and trade cooperation would be the priority for talks between Iraqi and Syrian leaders.

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Jordanian forces conducted airstrikes targeting Islamic State positions

Syrian Civil Defense reported seven civilians were killed in the October 26, 2026 Jordanian airstrikes in Daraa and Sweida provinces, including three children and a woman

Damascus condemned the October 26, 2026 Jordanian airstrikes in Daraa and Sweida provinces as a violation of Syrian sovereignty

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi agreed on October 28, 2026, to establish a joint security committee

Syrian authorities temporarily closed the Nassib border crossing with Jordan following the October 26, 2026 airstrikes in Daraa and Sweida provinces before reopening it on October 28, 2026

Jordanian security forces arrested three wounded suspects in Karak on October 26, 2026, linking the attack on St. George's Greek Orthodox Church to militants operating in southern Syria