According to three sources with knowledge of the situation, Syria and Saudi Arabia have decided to reopen their embassies after cutting diplomatic ties more than ten years ago. This is a significant step towards bringing Damascus back into the Arab fold.
A regional source allied with Damascus claimed that contacts between Riyadh and Damascus had accelerated following a historic deal. To restore ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, a significant ally of President Bashar al-Assad.
The most significant advancement in Arab states’ efforts to normalise relations with Assad would be the restoration of ties between Riyadh and Damascus. Assad was shunned by many Western and Arab nations after Syria’s civil war started in 2011.
A second local source close to Damascus told Reuters that the two countries were “getting ready to reopen embassies after Eid al-Fitr,”. A Muslim holiday in the second half of April.
One of the local sources and a diplomat in the Gulf claim that the choice was made as a result of discussions. With a top Syrian intelligence official that took place in Saudi Arabia.
Requests for comment from the Syrian government and the Saudi government’s communication office were not answered.
The apparent resolution could be a sign of how Iran and Riyadh’s agreement may affect other problems. In the area, where their antagonism has fueled wars like the Syrian Civil War.
Some of the Syrian rebels have received support from the United States and a number of its regional allies. Including Sunni-led Saudi Arabia and Qatar. In great part because to Shi’ite Iran and Russia, Assad was able to crush the rebellion over the majority of Syria.
Saudi Arabia’s ally, the United States, has opposed efforts by regional nations to normalise relations with Assad. Citing the brutality of his government during the conflict and the need for action to find a political solution.
Another important ally of the US, the United Arab Emirates, has taken the lead in reestablishing contact with Assad. He and his wife were recently received in Abu Dhabi.
Saudi Arabia, though, has moved much more cautiously.
The senior Syrian intelligence official “stayed for days” in Riyadh, according to the diplomat. From the Gulf, and an agreement was reached to restore embassies “very soon.”
The official, named as Hussam Louqa, the director of Syria’s intelligence committee, was in talks about security on the country’s border with Jordan. And the smuggling of captagon, an amphetamine with a strong market in the Arab Gulf, according to one of the regional sources.
Syria’s harsh assault on protestors in 2011 led to its expulsion from the Arab League.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, stated earlier this month. That dialogue with Assad may result in Syria’s rejoining the Arab League, but that it was yet too early to consider such a move.
The diplomat stated that a vote to lift Syria’s suspension during the upcoming Arab summit, which is anticipated to take place. In Saudi Arabia in April, might be made possible by the Syrian-Saudi talks.
In 2018, the United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Damascus on the grounds that more Arab nations needed to be involved in finding a solution to the Syrian war.
While Assad has benefited from restored connections with Arab nations that had previously ostracised him. US sanctions continue to be a significant obstacle for nations looking to deepen trade relations.
