IRIA News

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken conducted another crucial diplomatic tour of the Middle East. Blinken visited Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq and engaged in high-level talks centered on Syria’s ongoing transition, counterterrorism efforts, and the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Blinken’s trip began in Aqaba, Jordan, on December 12, where he met with King Abdullah II and Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi. Blinken reiterated U.S. support for Syria’s ongoing transition in power and emphasized that Washington’s priority lies with the importance of protecting civilians, including minorities, upholding human rights, and ensuring access to humanitarian aid across Syria.

Acknowledging Jordan’s contributions amid security concerns in the Middle East, Blinken said, “We deeply appreciate Jordan’s leadership in providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza through the Jordan Corridor.”

Both parties agreed on the urgency of concluding a ceasefire in Gaza to secure the hostages’ release and scale up humanitarian aid. King Abdullah and Blinken further explored measures to mitigate regional instability resulting from Syria’s transition.

Strengthening ties with Turkey

In Ankara, Blinken met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The discussions underscored the collaborative role of Turkey and the U.S. in shaping Syria’s future and combating extremist threats, including ISIS. Fidan stated, “Ensuring stability in Syria as soon as possible and taking action to prevent terrorism are among our priorities.”

Türkiye President @RTErdogan and I discussed regional security and the political transition in Syria today. The transition must be Syria-led, include all Syrians, protect civilian life, and allow for humanitarian aid to reach those who need it. pic.twitter.com/ShNV2ycejI

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 12, 2024

Blinken highlighted the shared vision of a non-sectarian interim government in Syria that would protect minority rights, secure chemical weapon stockpiles, and prevent alliances with extremist groups. He also praised Turkey’s commitment to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, reaffirming that “we must continue these efforts to ensure ISIS does not re-emerge.”

The Gaza conflict also featured prominently in discussions. Blinken described “encouraging signs” of progress toward a ceasefire, urging Hamas to accept a proposed agreement. Türkiye’s influence,

Unannounced stop in Iraq

Concluding his tour, Blinken made an unannounced visit to Baghdad. Blinken’ with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani centered on Iraq’s role in supporting Syria’s transition. “This is a moment for Iraq to reinforce its sovereignty and stability,” Blinken stated, emphasizing Iraq’s success in dismantling ISIS’s territorial hold and the need for continued vigilance against the group’s resurgence.

Al-Sudani and Blinken agreed on the importance of ensuring Syria’s transition safeguards the rights of all communities, maintains regional security, and prevents cross-border terrorism. Blinken also highlighted Iraq’s strategic importance in the broader fight against extremism, commending its restraint in not intervening directly in Syria’s recent developments.

Blinken’s trip reinforced the U.S. commitment to a multi-pronged approach addressing Syria’s transition, counterterrorism, and regional stability. His engagements with Jordanian, Turkish, and Iraqi leaders underscored the interconnectedness of these issues and the necessity for sustained international cooperation.

As Syria navigates a fragile transition and Gaza remains in crisis, Blinken’s diplomatic efforts spotlight the United States’ role in fostering stability and advocating for peace across the Middle East. His emphasis on inclusivity, security, and humanitarian priorities reflects a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing the region’s complex challenges.

In all three nations, Blinken emphasized the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need for a ceasefire agreement that would secure the release of hostages and allow for increased aid delivery. Over 44,875 Palestinians have been killed since the escalation began on October 7, 2023, underscoring the urgency of the discussions.

During his remarks in Ankara, Blinken noted, “What we’ve seen in the last couple of weeks are more encouraging signs that [a ceasefire] is possible. The imperative now is for Hamas to agree to the terms and bring this conflict to an end.”