Regional leaders are to gather in Baghdad on Saturday for the annual Arab League summit, focusing primarily on the ongoing Gaza crisis. The summit aims to address pressing issues affecting the region, particularly the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
In March, Arab leaders convened an emergency summit in Cairo, endorsing a reconstruction plan for Gaza. This plan aims to rebuild the Gaza Strip without displacing its approximately 2 million residents. The current summit follows Israel’s recent military actions, which have escalated tensions significantly.
This summit occurs two months after Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, which had been established in January. In recent days, Israel launched extensive attacks in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promising further military escalation. His government aims to dismantle Hamas completely, intensifying the conflict.
Impact of U.S. Presidential Visit
The Baghdad meeting coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s regional tour earlier this week. Although many hoped for a new ceasefire deal, Trump’s visit did not yield significant results. Instead, he made headlines by meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who previously fought against U.S. forces in Iraq.
Al-Sharaa did not attend the summit, as Syria’s delegation was led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani. Iraqi Shiite militias and political factions expressed concerns about al-Sharaa’s past as a Sunni militant. They had previously pushed back against his invitation to the summit.
Iraq’s Balancing Act
Iraq maintains complex ties with both the United States and Iran, striving to balance these relationships. An anonymous Iraqi political official revealed that Iran’s Quds Force commander, Esmail Ghaani, visited Baghdad before the summit. He conveyed messages of support for Iranian-American negotiations regarding a nuclear deal.
The Arab League summit in Baghdad represents a critical moment for regional leaders to address the Gaza crisis and other pressing issues. As tensions rise, the outcomes of this summit could significantly impact the future of Arab unity and regional stability.
