Iraq's PM Al-Zaidi Meets Syria's Al-Sharaa to Finalize Oil Pipeline Deal

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi landed in Damascus on Wednesday to meet with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. This marks the first time an Iraqi head of government has visited Syria since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.

The primary focus of the summit is the Haditha Baniyas pipeline. The two nations signed agreements in July to revive this route for transporting Iraqi crude. They also entered into a memorandum of understanding with a consortium of three firms to manage the project. Chevron, an American oil major, is the most prominent member of that group.

Official Iraqi News Agency reports indicate the leaders discussed increasing the volume of oil exports through the Baniyas line. They also addressed expanding bilateral trade and developing the agricultural sector. The stated goal is to achieve greater food and economic integration between the two neighbors.

These talks follow a recent shift in regional logistics. Iraq began exporting limited quantities of oil through Syria following the start of the US-led war on Iran. This new route offers an alternative to traditional shipping paths.

Al-Zaidi told reporters that the two peoples are one entity split by borders. He outlined a plan to deepen partnership in economic and social affairs, enhance security cooperation, and align positions on regional issues. Al-Sharaa expressed appreciation for the delegation's arrival. He emphasized the depth of ties between the two states and Syria's desire to maximize cooperation.

The leaders last met in New York last September during the United Nations General Assembly. That discussion covered political coordination and the widening of trade ties.