Asad-Sadr talks discussed opening Syrian embassy in Iraq

Iraq Information Report ^ | February 13, 2006

[jmc1969]

Iraqi Shiite radical cleric Moqtada Sadr met with Syrian President Bashar Asad on 12/2/06 in Damascus for the second time in a week. Sources close to him say his talks with Asad focused on the Iraqi-Syrian relations and the necessity of opening a Syrian embassy in Baghdad. Asad agreed. The talks also discussed the situation on the Syrian-Iraqi border.

Sadr tried to know to what extent Syria is prepared to help block infiltration into Iraq. Asad agreed to help if the UN or the Coalition forces provide Syria with the necessary equipment. The talks also raised the subject of Syrian-Shiite relations and the necessity of securing the roads for Shiite pilgrims while traveling to Syria or Iraq to visit Shiite holy shrines.

Asad and Sadr welcomed the US move to contact Sunni tribes in western Iraq and supported the security measures there to prevent the Al-Qaeda groups from attacking the Shiite pilgrims.

[Mikey_1962]

Gee, I didn't know Sadr was Secretary of State.

[TexasCajun]

Why isn't this little Iraq homegrown terrorist sleeping in Cuba?

[oldleft]

Not surprising considering the Baath party in Syria is made up of a bunch of guys who are from a weird offshoot of Shia. They kind of combine the worst parts of Islam, fascism and communism. Sadr probably loves these guys.

[Bogeygolfer]

I thought the Baathists in Syria were Sunni. That was their link to Saddam. I think they are only 50% of the population but I'm going from memory. If I'm correct that makes these two into an uneasy relationship which brings me some measure of comfort.

[oldleft]

Most people in Syria are Sunnis but the guys in charge are Alawites. Alawi is a weird little offshoot of Shia.