Saudi Arabia has officially reopened its embassy in Damascus, marking the first time in nearly 12 years. The announcement was made by Abdullah Al-Harees, the acting Saudi Chargé d’Affaires in Syria, during a ceremony attended by Syrian ministers, senior officials, and members of the diplomatic community.
Al-Harees described the reopening as a historic milestone in the relationship between the two countries and reaffirmed the embassy’s commitment to enhancing bilateral ties. The ceremony saw participation from various dignitaries and intellectuals, underscoring the significance of the event.
This move represents a major shift in Saudi-Syrian relations, which had been strained since Bashar al-Assad took office in 2000 following his father Hafez al-Assad’s death. Diplomatic relations were severed in 2012 amid the ongoing Syrian civil war, which has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement.
The reopening follows Syria’s rejoining of the Arab League and the resumption of regular commercial flights between the nations. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s appointment of Faisal bin Saud al-Mejfel as its ambassador to Damascus in May 2024 was a key step in restoring relations.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been actively working to promote regional stability, including improving ties with Iran. The resumption of relations with Iran, formalized in March through an agreement in China, is expected to positively influence the broader Middle Eastern landscape.
