Iraq–Syria relations

Iraq–Syria relations are the diplomatic relations between the sovereign states of the Republic of Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic. Both countries are neighbours and they share the Iraq–Syria border. Bilateral relations are marked by long-shared cultural and political links, as well as former regional rivalry. The two countries took their present form after the Sykes–Picot Agreement to dismember the Ottoman Empire into British and French spheres of influence after World War I. The two countries have been marred by traditional rivalry for pre-eminence in Arab affairs, allegations of involvement in each other's internal politics, and disputes over the waters of Euphrates River, oil transit fees, and stances toward Israel. Ba'athist Syria also joined the coalition that liberated Kuwait from Ba'athist Iraqi occupation in the 1991 Gulf War. Following a series of allegations that Syria was supporting terrorism in Iraq during the 2003–2011 Iraq War, both countries eventually normalized relations in 2006. Although Iraq, along with associated Shia militias, once provided support to the Assad regime during the Syrian civil war, the official Iraqi rhetoric towards the new administration changed after Syrian rebels successfully overthrew the Assad regime in 2024. In subsequent official Iraqi statements, the Iraqi government stressed respect for the free will of all Syrians while emphasizing the importance of Syria's security, territorial integrity and independence. However, relations remain tense due to the opposition of elites in the Iraqi government towards normalization with the new Syrian government, on grounds that it’s associated with Islamist extremist groups.