Attachments
Key Takeaways:
- POLITICS: Syrian Foreign Minister in Baghdad; Hegseth, Sudani Discuss Houthi Attacks and Disarming Militias; Kurdish Parties Agree on Government Formation “Vision” – On March 14, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in Baghdad for talks with Prime Minister Sudani. This marks the first visit by a senior Syrian diplomat to Baghdad since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. In the meeting, Sudani reaffirmed Iraq’s respect for the Syrian people’s free choices and support for an inclusive political process. He also emphasized the importance of respecting all Syrian communities and condemning sectarian violence, referencing recent incidents in Syria’s coastal areas. The Iraqi leader further expressed support for Syria’s territorial integrity and condemned Israeli military incursions near Damascus. At a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart, Shaibani stated that Damascus seeks strong ties with Baghdad, expressing interest in joint efforts to combat ISIS and enhance commercial relations while calling for cooperation to prevent foreign interference in both countries’ internal affairs. On March 16, PM Sudani received a phone call from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, during which they discussed “U.S. operations to eliminate the Houthi threat to American commerce,” according to a Pentagon spokesperson. Hegseth emphasized that Washington does not seek military escalation but warned that strikes would continue unless the Houthis ceased their attacks on U.S. forces and shipping in the Red Sea, according to a statement from Sudani’s office. They also discussed Baghdad’s efforts to establish state control over the use of force and ensure the safety of U.S. military advisers in Iraq, alluding to threats posed by Iran-backed militias. Reports indicate that Hegseth delivered “a strongly worded warning” that Washington would respond forcefully to any Iraqi militia involvement in the Houthi conflict and urged Sudani to act swiftly in disarming these groups. The call came shortly after fresh U.S. strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen. On March 18, senior officials from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) finalized a “joint vision” for government formation, potentially ending months of deadlock since the October elections. more…
- SECURITY & HUMANITARIAN: ISIS No. 2 Leader Killed in Anbar; Army Clashes with YBS Fighters in Sinjar – On March 14, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that a U.S. airstrike in Anbar province killed ISIS’s second-highest-ranking leader and its “Chief of Global Operations.” Conducted in cooperation with Iraqi intelligence and military forces, the strike also killed another ISIS militant. The ISIS chief was identified as Abdallah Makki al-Rifai (alias Abu Khadijah), who was responsible for overseeing ISIS’s global operations, logistics, and finances, according to CENTCOM. On March 19, the Iraqi military reported clashes with an “outlawed group” in Sinjar while attempting to rescue a kidnapped civilian. Four Iraqi soldiers sustained minor injuries when militants—later identified as members of the Sinjar Resistance Units (YBS)—threw a grenade at their vehicle. Meanwhile, two YBS fighters were injured, and five were captured by Iraqi forces. The following day, the YBS condemned the arrests as a premeditated attack and dismissed the kidnapping allegations as “baseless.” more…
- ECONOMY & CLIMATE: Iraq Seeks More Electricity from Turkey, Gas from Algeria; Iraqi Navy Seizes Suspected Fuel-Smuggling Ship – On March 16, Turkey agreed to double its electricity exports to Iraq from 300 megawatts (MW) to 600 MW, following a meeting in Baghdad between Iraq’s Electricity Minister and Turkey’s Energy Minister. This agreement comes less than two weeks after the U.S. government revoked a sanctions waiver that had previously allowed Iraq to purchase electricity from Iran. Iraqi officials also inquired about the potential import of natural gas from Turkey to power Iraq’s electricity plants. Talks in Baghdad and Erbil also addressed the ongoing deadlock over restarting Kurdistan’s oil exports to Turkey, which have been halted for two years. On March 18, reports emerged that Iraq is negotiating with Algeria to conclude deal to purchase up to 1 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually before the summer months. Iraq is still developing the necessary infrastructure to receive and process LNG for distribution to power plants, a process expected to take several months. On the same day, the Iraqi navy seized a transport ship suspected of fuel smuggling in Iraqi territorial waters. Marines operating from a patrol boat boarded the vessel and arrested 11 crew members, including the ship’s Iranian captain, eight Indian nationals, and two Iraqis. The ship was towed to the Umm Qasr naval base. Although fuel smuggling is believed to be common in the Gulf, interceptions of this nature are rare. more…
For more background on most of the institutions, key actors, political parties, and locations mentioned in our takeaways or in the stories that follow, see the ISHM Reference Guide.