BAGHDAD 

An Iraqi delegation held talks in Damascus on Thursday with Syria's new leadership to discuss Syrian developments and border security. 

Government spokesperson Basem al-Awadi said the meeting addressed field developments in Syria and the requirements for security and stability along the Iraq-Syrian border, the Iraqi state news agency INA reported.  

The broadcaster did not provide the names of Syrian officials involved in the discussions.  

This visit was part of a broader trend of diplomatic engagement between the new Syrian administration led by Ahmed al-Sharaa and high-ranking officials from Arab and foreign countries after the downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.  

As part of this engagement, Türkiye and Qatar recently reopened their diplomatic missions in Damascus.  

Other nations have also resumed operations at their embassies, signaling a significant shift in Syria’s foreign relations following Assad’s ouster.  

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963.  

*Writing by Mohammad Sio