The circumstances of Syrian-Iraqi relations in the last century confirms that they were always governed by problems between the two governments. All the efforts made at a certain moment ended without reaching a result other than adding a new accumulation of tension and hostility, and that because of two main factors. The first is internal tendencies, and the competition between the two Baathist Parties, ruled by dictators as Hafez al-Assad and Saddam Hussein. The second is the result of external regional and international interventions, as from Iran, Britain and US, which interacted in most cases, and negatively affected Syrian-Iraqi relations.
As is evident, the shared history and geography of Syria and Iraq intersect positively with the current and future requirements of both countries in addressing the existing crises, inherited from two almost identical systems of the same ideological and political origins, which were exploited to establish a similar dictatorial and despotic system, from which Syria and Iraq inherited corruption, poverty, sectarian and ethnic conflicts.
The Syrian concern is no less ambitious than the Iraqi one in its desire to rid itself of the legacy of the two defunct dictatorial and despotic regimes. While the Syrians have freed themselves from the Iranian presence and hegemony, Iraq has paved the way for its recovery. Both countries are now moving towards a shared future, one that will make Syria and Iraq active players in the region's present and future. There are already clear indications of their anticipated role, at least in energy projects, supply and transportation networks, communications, electricity, and other projects that will generate new political environments.
Amid all of the above, intentions, efforts, steps and procedures are emerging in both countries, aimed at a new path of cooperation between the two countries. Perhaps the most prominent of these is the repetition of joint declarations of cooperation and better relations for the future, and efforts to address existing problems and urgent political and security developments.
But despite the positive signs of the current phase, Syrian-Iraqi relations face three major challenges:
The first is represented by the position of the Iraqi militias towards the existing authority in Damascus, which they see as having removed Syria from the circle of Iranian control and influence, and having forced the Iraqi militias to leave Syria.
The second is related to the issue of Syrians in Iraq who had sought to live and work there in previous stages. After the fall of the Assad regime, some circles linked to Iran and its militias in Iraq incited for actions against them, and this resulted in racist policies and procedures that are essential to stop until these people are able to return to their country, or legalize their residence in Iraq.
The third issue is the issue of “ISIS prisoners” whom the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the American forces in Syria sent to Iraq between 2019 and 2024. Their number is estimated at more than 7,000 people, most of whom are Syrians, including a large number of women and children. It is important to make public their fates, in the context of the Syrian government's efforts government, especially since the SDF carried out arbitrary arrests during its control of northeastern Syria.
In conclusion, regarding the relations between Syria and Iraq, the actual circumstances open a gateway towards new relations that the two countries need. But the same circumstances are surrounded by a new regional and international environment, after the decline of Iranian influence and the emergence of Arab Gulf encouragements for both Syria and Iraq to actively return to the Arab sphere, in addition to the current improvement of the two countries' relations with the United States.