In a phone call, Syria and Iraq discuss border security and cooperation in combating drugs.

President Bashar al-Assad received a phone call from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani, who congratulated him on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr and praised the formation of the new Syrian government, emphasizing the importance of bilateral cooperation in combating "ISIS." During the call, Al-Sudani expressed his support for the Syrian people's choices and stressed the necessity of including all components of Syrian society in the political process to achieve peaceful coexistence and permanent stability in Syria and the region, according to the Iraqi Prime Minister's media office. The Iraqi Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between Damascus and Baghdad, especially in the security and economic fields, given the geographical factors and common interests shared by both countries. He highlighted the need to intensify efforts to confront the threat of ISIS, which continues to pose a security risk to the region. Iraq's Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, previously stated that there is a political consensus not to interfere in Syrian affairs, noting his country's need for outlets to export oil. Al-Sudani reiterated Iraq's rejection of any external intervention in Syrian affairs, particularly Israeli encroachment on Syrian territory, affirming his country's support for the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of Syrian lands.