Syrian Leader to Skip Baghdad Summit, Highlighting Region’s Sunni-Shiite Divide

Iraqi Shiite politicians accuse Ahmed al-Sharaa of ordering attacks on their co-religionists during his prior affiliation with al-Qaeda.

Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa at a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, on Feb. 4, 2025. Anadolu Agency/Reuters

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s interim president, will not attend an upcoming Arab League Summit in Baghdad, according to reports in Syrian state media.

In his stead, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani will lead the Syrian delegation at the May 17 summit, Syria’s state-run Ekhbariya television channel reported on May 12.