Saudi Arabia Appoints First Ambassador to Syria in 12 Years

Saudi Arabia Appoints First Ambassador to Syria in 12 Years, Signifying Thaw in Relations

In a significant move, Saudi Arabia announced the appointment of its first ambassador to Syria since severing ties with Damascus 12 years ago. This development highlights the ongoing thawing in relations between the two countries, following Syria’s readmission to the Arab League over a year ago.

Faisal al-Mujfel has been appointed as the kingdom’s ambassador to Syria, marking a significant diplomatic step after years of strained relations. The Arab League had suspended Syria for over a decade due to President Bashar Assad’s crackdown on anti-government protesters in 2011, leading Riyadh to sever ties with Damascus in 2012.

The conflict in Syria, now in its 14th year, has taken a devastating toll, with nearly half a million people killed and half of the country’s population displaced. Efforts to find a political solution to the conflict have largely remained stagnant.

The reinstatement of ties with President Assad by most Arab countries following a powerful earthquake in February 2023 that affected Turkey and northern Syria has paved the way for diplomatic strides in the region. In March 2023, Saudi Arabia and Iran also agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations, signaling a major breakthrough in reducing conflict between the two nations.

Iran’s support for the Assad government in Syria and the Lebanese Hezbollah group has been a key factor in the regional dynamics, particularly in the ongoing conflict in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has led a coalition against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2015, turning the conflict into a proxy war between the two regional powers.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s recent meeting with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan suggests a closer security agreement between the two countries. The agreement reportedly includes efforts to end Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza, provide aid to the territory, and support a two-state solution for the Palestinian people.

The appointment of the Saudi ambassador to Syria signals a new chapter in regional diplomacy, as countries in the Middle East seek to forge new alliances and work towards resolving long-standing conflicts.