DUBAI, UAE - The foreign ministers of Syria, Iraq, and Iran held a trilateral meeting in Baghdad on Friday to address the escalating security crisis in Syria, emphasizing regional collaboration to de-escalate tensions, as an Islamist-led rebel offensive dealt massive blows to President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.

The Baghdad meeting came ahead of another planned high-level discussion on Syria by the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, and Turkey, who are set to meet in Doha on Saturday under the Astana format.

The rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a major offensive on November 27, rapidly seizing city after city in quick succession. sweeping from their stronghold in the northwest to capture swathes of northern and central Syria, including commercial hub Aleppo and strategic city of Hama. Syrian government forces “suddenly” on Friday withdrew from the city of Deir Ezzor, and Kurdish-led Democratic Forces (SDF) controlled the city

Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam al-Sabbagh condemned "regional and international interference" in his country, which he said aimed to "divide" the region.

"Regional and international interference in everything that is currently happening in Syria.. aims to divide the region anew and redraw the political map," Sabbagh during a joint press conference with his Iraqi and Iranian counterparts, thanking Iraq for hosting the meeting, stating that it reflected solidarity with Syria.

“This morning, I held discussions with Iraqi leaders about the terrorist attack carried out by Jabhat al-Nusra [HTS ] on our provinces,” Sabbagh said. “The Syrian Arab Army is fulfilling its duty to repel these attacks, despite violations of international resolutions.”

Sabbagh also criticized “double standards” in counter-terrorism efforts, asserting that Syria’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.”

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein echoed Sabbagh's sentiments, highlighting the interdependence of Iraq's and Syria's security.

“Syria’s security is tied to the region's security,” Hussein said. “Terrorist attacks on Syria are condemned wherever they occur. Iraq has been both a victim of and a combatant against terrorism.”

Hussein announced plans to convene an urgent meeting of the Arab League at the ministerial level to address Syria's situation. He revealed that Iraq is engaging with the foreign ministers of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Jordan to coordinate diplomatic efforts.

“Baghdad will also host a regional meeting to discuss these critical developments,” he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized the international responsibility to combat “terrorism” in Syria.

“Terrorism knows no borders, and failure to address it in Syria will affect the entire region,” Araghchi warned, reaffirming Iran's “unwavering support” for Syria.

 “We will continue to stand by Syria with full force against terrorist groups,” Araghchi said.

The Baghdad talks took place on the eve of another pivotal discussion concerning Syria.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed that the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, and Turkey, member states of the Astana, would hold Syria peace talks and meet in Doha on Saturday.

“The ministerial meeting in the Astana format is scheduled for tomorrow in Qatar, on the sidelines of the politics conference attended by the delegation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov,” Zakharova told reporters in Yekaterinburg.