Baghdad: The annual Arab League summit kicked off on Saturday in Baghdad, drawing participation from several heads of state across the region. The focus of the summit remains the ongoing war in Gaza and the deepening humanitarian crisis it has caused.
Leaders are expected to revisit the reconstruction efforts in Gaza, following up on the emergency summit held in Cairo in March, where Arab nations had pledged coordinated action to ensure that nearly two million residents of Gaza would not face further displacement.
Gaza War Overshadows Proceedings
The summit comes two months after Israel officially ended its ceasefire with Hamas in January. Since then, Israeli forces have carried out extensive military operations in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to completely dismantle Hamas. The intensified Israeli offensive has triggered widespread concern in the Arab world and reignited calls for an immediate ceasefire.
Despite hopes for diplomatic intervention, U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent visit to the region earlier this week failed to yield any breakthrough on a new truce in Gaza. His trip, however, has had a significant impact on the political atmosphere surrounding the summit.
Trump’s Syria Move Sparks Reactions
While the summit unfolds, Trump made headlines by meeting Syria’s newly appointed President Ahmed al-Shara during his Middle East tour. The meeting stirred controversy given al-Shara’s controversial past. Formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Golani, al-Shara was once a radical figure linked to al-Qaeda and fought against U.S. forces during the 2003 Iraq war. He still faces an active arrest warrant in Iraq on terrorism-related charges.
During their meeting, Trump reportedly assured al-Shara that the U.S. would review its sanctions on Syria, a statement that has drawn mixed reactions from both regional and international observers.
Unity Amid Crisis?
As Baghdad hosts this critical summit, Arab leaders are under pressure to present a unified stance on the Gaza crisis while navigating complex regional dynamics — from Israel’s military campaign and Iran’s growing influence to emerging leadership shifts in Syria. With humanitarian concerns mounting and diplomacy stalling, the Arab League’s decisions in the coming days will be closely watched by global stakeholders.
