Syrian FM Warns Regional Security at Risk Amid Resurgence of Terrorism
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbaq warned on Friday that ongoing developments, including the resurgence of foreign-backed terrorism in Syria, pose a threat to the region's overall security.
Speaking during talks with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, in Baghdad, Sabbaq emphasized the critical nature of the current situation.
Hussein expressed Iraq's deep concerns over the security developments in Syria, highlighting their direct impact on regional stability.
"Iraq is closely following the situation in Syria due to its direct implications for the security and stability of the region," Hussein said during the meeting.
Both ministers underlined the importance of joint efforts to safeguard regional security.
Sabbaq arrived in Baghdad on Thursday, heading a delegation that includes aides Habib Abbas and Ayman Raad. The visit is part of discussions with Iraqi and Iranian officials on the latest developments in Syria, according to Syria’s al-Watan newspaper.
Following his meetings in Baghdad, Sabbaq is expected to travel to Cairo to attend an extraordinary session of the Arab League Council, al-Watan reported.
The resurgence of terrorism in Syria, notably marked by the rise of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorist group, has become a pressing issue with serious regional and international implications.
HTS, which originated as Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaeda affiliate, has consolidated its control over Syria's northwest, particularly in Idlib. The group initially sought to present itself as a local player, distancing itself from al-Qaeda’s global terrorism agenda. However, its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, and many of its members continue to adhere to extremist ideologies that pose a persistent threat to the region’s stability.
Despite facing military defeats and ongoing international pressure, HTS has managed to solidify its position in Idlib, often taking advantage of the ongoing conflict and the power vacuum it has created.
The terror group is not only engaged in violent insurgency against the Syrian government but also involved in internal conflicts with rival rebel factions. By positioning itself as a political authority in the territories it controls, HTS has complicated efforts to reach a political resolution to the Syrian crisis. Its continued violent actions, targeting both military and civilian sites, have deepened the instability in Syria, making the country’s path toward peace and reconstruction even more difficult.
