Iraqi, Syrian FMs in Tehran

The foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq and Syria held talks in Tehran today, pledging that they would carry on working together to fight the Islamic State. Iraqi FM Ibrahim al-Jaafari and his Syrian counterpart Walid Moallem were in Tehran to attend a previously scheduled conference on violence and extremism. The rare trilateral meeting was initiated at the invitation of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. 

Photo credit: Iranian FM Javad Zarif (r.), Syrian FM Walid Moallem (Center, back to camera) and Iraqi FM Ibrahim al-Jaafari during a rare trilateral meeting; Tehran, 9 December 2014 (Mehr News Agency)

Syria ‘Satisfied’ with U.S.-led Air Campaign against ISIL

Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said today his government is “satisfied” with the U.S.-led bombing campaign against the Islamic State. He made the remarks during an interview with the Associated Press.

Moallem said that the U.S. does not inform Syria of every strike before it happens. He added, “But it’s OK.” He said that Syria heard from the United States 24 hours before it led the initial airstrikes last week.

Moallem continued that the fight against ISIL has “aligned” Damascus with Western and Arab opponents of the Syrian regime in “fighting the same enemy.” (AP, 29 September)

Moallem’s remarks contradicted the Iranian and Russian opposition to the U.S. air campaign in Syria. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called the airstrikes illegal during a speech at the UN General Assembly earlier this week. The Iranians could be concerned about a possible warming up of relations between Assad’s government and the U.S. at their own expense.

Moallem suggested that al-Nusra and other extremist Islamist groups should also be hit.  

Photo credit: Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem addressing the UN General assembly; 29 September 2014 (UN.org)