ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Monday held a phone call with his new Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, “congratulating” him on “assuming his duties" as Syria’s foreign minister, expressing Iraq’s interest in returning its diplomatic mission to Damascus, and discussing several other topics, including safeguarding borders and addressing security challenges. 

An 11-day sweeping rebel offensive spearheaded by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, brought a five-decade-long rule of the Assad family to an end on December 8. The blitz, however, sparked concerns among the Iraqi public and authorities over the conflict’s potential repercussions on Iraq. 

Hussein expressed his "appreciation for the efforts of the Syrian side in protecting the[ Iraqi diplomatic mission], stressing Iraq's keenness to return all members of the mission to Damascus to continue their work. For his part, the Syrian Minister confirmed his interest in the Iraqi diplomatic mission," according to a readout of the phone call released by the Iraqi foreign ministry.

Al-Shibani was appointed as a foreign minister by Syria’s interim government, becoming the country’s first diplomat since Assad’s ouster. 

"During the call, the two ministers discussed issues of common interest and stressed that the stability and security of the two countries are interconnected,” the statement said. "Minister Al-Shaibani pointed out that the security and safety of Iraq constitute an integral part of the security and safety of Syria."

Iraq’s Hussein touched on "the recent movements of ISIS elements” near the Iraq-Syria borders, stressing "the importance of enhancing cooperation and coordination to confront these threats.”

"For his part, Minister al-Shaibani stressed the Syrian side's readiness to fully coordinate with Iraq to confront these groups and prevent them from threatening the security of the two countries,” the readout detailed. 

Soon after Assad’s ouster, Damascus became a hotspot for diplomats’ visits worldwide, including a top delegation from Iraq headed by Iraqi Intelligence Service chief Hamid al-Shatri on December 26. Baghdad was a key backer of Assad and had expressed worry on multiple occasions that the rapid developments in the neighboring country would pose security threats to Iraq.

"At the end of the call, Mr. Fuad Hussein praised the fruitful discussions held by the head of the Iraqi Intelligence Service, Mr. Hamid al-Shatri, with the Syrian side during his recent visit to Damascus,” the statement read. 

In an interview with Saudi state-owned Al Arabiya on Sunday, Syria’s de facto ruler Sharaa assured their neighbors and the region as a whole that "liberating Syria guarantees the security of the region and the Gulf for the next fifty years."