Syria's Crisis Reshapes Ties With Iraq

The popular uprising that threatens to depose President Bashar Al Assad and his Baath party from power in Syria has reshaped relations with the neighboring Iraq, also formerly ruled by the Baath party.

Iraq has now become Syria's only open door to the world after the closure of the border with Jordan and the deployment of troops along the borders with Lebanon and Turkey.

Prior to the uprising in Syria, relations between the two neighbors were strained by Damascus's decision to host remnants of Iraq's Baath party who fled Baghdad after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. Besides, Syria was repeatedly accused by many Iraqis of turning a blind eye on the movement of Islamist extremists, including Al Qaeda members, into Iraq to carry out terrorist attacks.

But feeling increasingly isolated, Syria is seeking better relations with Iraq today. Officials from both countries have exchanged visits and there have been reports of increased secret contacts between them.

Iraqi political analyst Ibrahim Al Samidei said the Iraq government was now capable to curtail Syria's influence in Iraq's political and security affairs.

Ahmed Al Abyad, of the Iraqi telecommunication agency, said many Baath party members now in Syria are wanted in Iraq in cases of terrorism and it is time Damascus hands them.

But Iraqis politicians remain divided on how best to respond the crisis in Syria. Some look at the crisis as an opportunity to advance freedom and democracy across the border. Others fear the collapse of the Baath party in Damascus will bring fundamentalist Islamists into power.

Meanwhile, thousands of Iraqi refugees who had settled in Syria now deem their home country safer and are returning back to Iraq.

Syrian goods continue to flow into Iraqi markets, just as Iraq continues oil exports into Syria.


Syria's Crisis Reshapes Ties With Iraq

The popular uprising that threatens to depose President Bashar Al Assad and his Baath party from power in Syria has reshaped relations with the neighboring Iraq, also formerly ruled by the Baath party.

Iraq has now become Syria's only open door to the world after the closure of the border with Jordan and the deployment of troops along the borders with Lebanon and Turkey.

Prior to the uprising in Syria, relations between the two neighbors were strained by Damascus's decision to host remnants of Iraq's Baath party who fled Baghdad after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. Besides, Syria was repeatedly accused by many Iraqis of turning a blind eye on the movement of Islamist extremists, including Al Qaeda members, into Iraq to carry out terrorist attacks.

But feeling increasingly isolated, Syria is seeking better relations with Iraq today. Officials from both countries have exchanged visits and there have been reports of increased secret contacts between them.

Iraqi political analyst Ibrahim Al Samidei said the Iraq government was now capable to curtail Syria's influence in Iraq's political and security affairs.

Ahmed Al Abyad, of the Iraqi telecommunication agency, said many Baath party members now in Syria are wanted in Iraq in cases of terrorism and it is time Damascus hands them.

But Iraqis politicians remain divided on how best to respond the crisis in Syria. Some look at the crisis as an opportunity to advance freedom and democracy across the border. Others fear the collapse of the Baath party in Damascus will bring fundamentalist Islamists into power.

Meanwhile, thousands of Iraqi refugees who had settled in Syria now deem their home country safer and are returning back to Iraq.

Syrian goods continue to flow into Iraqi markets, just as Iraq continues oil exports into Syria.