Iraq warns Syria against falling under Turkish influence
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani issued on Monday a warning to Syria’s new administration against falling under Turkish influence, urging Arab nations to remain engaged and support Syria in preserving its sovereignty.
In an interview with Al Arabiya al Hadath news channel, al-Mashhadani remarked that Turkish interference in Syria is clearly evident, stating that this is deeply concerning and they do not want to replace Iran’s influence with Turkey’s.
He cautioned against adopting a power-sharing government model in Damascus similar to that of Baghdad, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding minority rights in Syria.
Al-Mashhadani highlighted the interconnected nature of Iraq and Syria’s challenges, noting that developments in Syria significantly impact Iraq due to shared security and political issues.
He further explained that the recent visit by an Iraqi intelligence delegation to Damascus was aimed at addressing mutual concerns. Both nations agreed to strengthen border security and curb the expansion of armed groups.
The Iraqi speaker also urged Arab states to avoid abandoning Syria as they once did Iraq, calling the prospect of a divided Syria “unacceptable.”