Saudi Arabia and Syria have agreed to reopen embassies more than a decade after cutting diplomatic ties. This information is known from three related sources. This is seen as a sign of Syria’s return to the Arab world. Earlier, Saudi Arabia took steps to normalize relations with Iran.
A regional source close to Damascus said contacts between Riyadh and Damascus have also accelerated following a landmark deal to restore Saudi Arabia’s ties with President Bashar al-Assad’s main ally Iran.
The reestablishment of ties between Riyadh and Damascus is the most significant move by Arab states to normalize relations with Assad. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad became isolated from the West and the Arab world after the start of the civil war in Syria in 2011.
Another regional source close to Damascus told Reuters, “The governments of the two countries are preparing to reopen the embassies after Eid al-Fitr, the biggest Muslim religious festival in the second half of April.”
According to a Gulf diplomat, the decision to open the embassy came as a result of Saudi Arabia’s discussions with a top Syrian intelligence official. However, the comments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia and the government of Syria have not yet been received.
Citing an official of the Saudi Foreign Ministry, the country’s state television reported that talks are underway with the Syrian Foreign Ministry to reopen the consular service.
These sources gave the information to Reuters on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter.
The normalization of Saudi Arabia’s relations with Iran and Syria is expected to eliminate other crises in the Middle East. Syria-Iran and Saudi Arabia took conflicting positions in the Syrian civil war and Yemen.
The United States and several of its regional allies, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, supported some of the Syrian rebels. On the other hand, with the help of Iran and Russia, Assad was able to suppress the rebels across most of Syria.
Saudi Arabia’s ally the United States has opposed moves by regional countries to normalize relations with Assad. They point to the government’s brutality in the conflict and the need for progress towards a political solution.
When asked about the relationship, a US State Department spokesperson said the US’s ‘position remains unchanged’. The country will not encourage other countries to normalize relations with Assad.
Bashar al-Assad is able to communicate with the Arab countries that once turned away. However, US sanctions still act as a major obstacle for countries to expand trade with Syria.
Source: Reuters
SNR/MS
