Efforts to Reintegrate Syria into the Arab Community Following Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia has extended an invitation to Syrian President Bashar Assad for the forthcoming Arab League summit in the oil-rich kingdom, as confirmed by his office on Wednesday. This development signals Syria’s gradual re-entry into the Arab fold after an extended period of political seclusion lasting twelve years.
The invitation to Assad was issued shortly after the Arab League reinstated Syria’s membership during a meeting held in Cairo on Sunday. Syria’s membership was suspended due to the severe crackdown on mass protests against Assad that erupted in 2011. This unrest evolved into a brutal civil war, resulting in nearly half a million fatalities and displacing a substantial portion of the pre-war population of 23 million.
The summit is scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 19. Photos were released showing the Saudi ambassador to Jordan delivering the invitation, but it remains uncertain whether Assad will attend.
Historically, Saudi Arabia was a key supporter of armed opposition groups aiming to overthrow Assad’s regime. However, in recent months, the kingdom has shifted towards advocating for dialogue. On Tuesday, the Syrian foreign minister made a landmark visit to Saudi Arabia, his first in over a decade, and both nations announced plans to reopen their embassies and restore diplomatic relations.
Other nations, including Jordan and Egypt, have also renewed their ties with Damascus, following earlier normalisation efforts from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Despite these developments, there remains a lack of consensus among Arab states regarding the restoration of relations with Syria. Countries such as Kuwait, Morocco, and Qatar continue to voice their opposition, with Qatar being a prominent supporter of rebel factions in the war-torn nation.
Analysts suggest that Syria’s reinstatement in the Arab League may be largely symbolic and caution that achieving a tangible resolution could take time. Earlier this month, Jordan hosted discussions involving Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iraq as part of an Arab-led initiative aimed at finding a political solution to the ongoing conflict. The meeting also addressed other regional issues, including the refugee crisis and drug trafficking.
