ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is set to visit Baghdad on Saturday, marking the first visit of a high-ranking delegation from the new Syrian administration to Iraq.

A well-informed sourceconfirmed to The New Region that the Syrian top diplomat will land in the capital Baghdad on Saturday, where he is set to meet with a number of the country’s top officials, including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, President Abdul Latif Rashid, Parliamentary Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.

Security, border control, counterterrorism, economy, and other issues are expected to be discussed during the Syrian foreign minister’s trip, according to the source.

Shaibani’s scheduled trip to Baghdad has been met with a lot of criticism from Iraq’s Shiites and pro-Iran armed groups and political factions.

“Shaibani's movements in Baghdad will witness strict security measures for fear of any targeting operation that he may be exposed to, which may have repercussions on future bilateral relations,” the source added.

Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai earlier this month, Shaibani said that he has received an official invitation from Iraq and will visit Baghdad “soon”.

Shaibani was reportedly set to visit the Iraqi capital in early January, but the trip was postponed indefinitely. The visit would mark the first of a delegation from the new Syrian administration to the neighboring country, as the two sides slowly work toward establishing ties.

The Iraqi government, closely aligned with Iran, supported Assad’s regime, and has been hesitant in establishing ties with the new authorities in Syria. An Iraqi delegation, headed by Intelligence Service chief Hamid al-Shatri, arrived in Damascus in late December and met with the new Syrian administration, including Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.