A senior official confirmed that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will not attend the 34th Arab League Summit in Baghdad on May 17, with Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani leading the delegation instead. Al-Sharaa’s absence is attributed to political controversy over Iraq’s invitation and concerns over an old arrest warrant related to his militant past. Iraqi authorities are implementing extensive security measures for the summit, including a nationwide protest ban, highlighting the delicate position of Iraqi-Syrian relations amid ongoing regional tensions.
