Syria and Saudi Arabia are reportedly set to reopen their embassies after over a decade of diplomatic tension, marking a significant move toward the Arab world’s acceptance of President Bashar al-Assad. Talks were said to have gained momentum following a landmark agreement to re-establish ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, one of Assad’s key allies. The decision reportedly made following a meeting with a senior Syrian intelligence official, could pave the way for a vote to lift Syria’s suspension from the Arab League during the next summit in April. However, the US has maintained its stance against the normalization of ties with Assad’s regime due to its brutality during the Syrian conflict
Syria and Saudi Arabia Forge Diplomatic Ties: Embassies Set to Reopen
Syria and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement to reopen their embassies, marking a significant step towards Syria’s reintegration into the Arab world after more than a decade of diplomatic estrangement. A regional source aligned with Damascus stated that the progress in ties between the two nations was accelerated by a major agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, an essential ally of President Bashar al-Assad. This would be a significant breakthrough for Arab nations seeking to normalize relations with Assad, who was shunned by various Western and Arab states in the aftermath of the Syrian civil war’s outbreak in 2011.
A second regional source aligned with Damascus informed Reuters, an international news reporting agency, that the two governments were preparing to reopen their embassies following the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitrl. The decision was reached after discussions with a high-ranking Syrian intelligence official in Saudi Arabia, according to a diplomat in the Gulf and one of the regional sources. Requests for comment made to the Saudi government’s communication office, the foreign ministry, and the Syrian government went unanswered.
Nonetheless, Saudi state television confirmed that talks were ongoing with the Syrian foreign ministry to resume consular services, as stated by a Saudi foreign ministry official. Due to the delicate nature of the topic, the sources spoke anonymously. This sudden development may provide an indication of how the Tehran-Riyadh agreement could impact other regional crises, including the Syrian conflict, where their rivalry has exacerbated tensions.
Another instance of Proxy War between the Russian Federation and the United States!
Syrian rebels had received support from the United States and some of its regional allies, including Sunni-led Saudi Arabia and Qatar. However, Shi’ite Iran and Russia’s assistance was a significant factor in Assad’s ability to defeat the insurgency in most of Syria. The United States, which is allied with Saudi Arabia, has opposed attempts by regional countries to normalize relations with Assad, citing his government’s brutality during the conflict and the need for progress toward a political solution.
In response to the recent development of Syria and Saudi Arabia re-establishing diplomatic relations, a State Department spokesperson stated that the U.S.’s position on normalization remains the same and that it will not encourage other countries to normalize ties with Assad.
