ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Friday, marking the first visit of a top official from the new Damascus administration to the neighboring country.

Shaibani was received by his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein at the foreign ministry headquarters in Baghdad.

In a joint press conference following their meeting, the foreign ministers said they discussed bilateral relations, the recent escalations in Syria's coastal regions, and cooperation on combating the threat of the Islamic State (ISIS).

Shaibani’s trip comes amid ongoing unrest in the country as regional and international criticism continues to pour in against the military operations of security forces affiliated with the new administration, targeting civilians accused of being loyalists of the ousted regime.

The escalations in Syria have also impacted Syrians in Iraq, with several refugees detained by Iraqi authorities in recent days for allegedly promoting “extremist groups” in Syria, as well as circulating reports of attacks on Syrian workers by Shiite militias in Iraq.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Wednesday ordered the formation of a specialized security team to pursue those responsible for the “heinous acts of violence” against Syrian workers in the country, following a statement by the Syrian foreign ministry condemning what they described as “a violation of human rights and international law.”

The Syrian top diplomat’s visit to Iraq has been anticipated since January, with multiple trips canceled and postponed due to varying reasons.

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.

Updated at 5:55pm with the presser