Iraq’s capital Baghdad has begun welcoming leaders and delegates for the 34th Arab League Summit, convening amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave, as well as significant regional developments.

The city’s streets have been adorned with the flags of all 22 Arab League member states, reflecting the ceremonial atmosphere of the high-level gathering. Baghdad and several other Iraqi cities are experiencing relative stability following four decades of war and unrest.

The summit coincides with major shifts across the region, including efforts by the Syrian government under President Ahmad Shar’a to reset ties with Arab and Western countries, the continued war in Gaza, and ongoing nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran.

The gathering also follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent Gulf tour—which included visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates—where he signed a series of strategic deals and signaled a renewed American focus on regional security and engagement with the Arab world.