Syria's interim foreign minister said in Baghdad on Friday his government was ready to "reinforce cooperation" with Iraq in the fight against remnants of the Islamic State group.

Asaad al-Shaibani's visit to Syria's neighbour coincided with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announcing that security forces had killed a senior IS leader.

It was also Shaibani's first visit to Iraq since his Islamist alliance toppled Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December.

Relations between neighbours Syria and Iraq have become more complicated since the ouster of Assad, who was a close ally of the government in Baghdad.

Iraq is home to a Shiite Muslim majority, and while it is a strategic partner of the United States, it is also a key ally of Iran, once a main backer of Assad's rule.

While Assad's key support came from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iraqi armed groups were also engaged in........

© Al Monitor