After Iran, Saudi Arabia is Reported to be Restoring Relations with Syria After Eid al-Fitr

Illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/US Department of State)

JAKARTA - Syria and Saudi Arabia reportedly agreed to reopen their respective embassies, after the severing of diplomatic relations more than a decade ago, a move seen as a major leap forward in returning Damascus to the organization of Arab countries, according to sources familiar with this.

News of the rapprochement between Riyadh and Damascus followed Saudi Arabia's agreement to rebuild ties with Iran, a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad, said a regional source close to Damascus.

This restoration of relations will receive attention, especially by Arab countries to normalize relations with Assad, who was shunned by many Western and Arab countries, after the civil war in Syria broke out in 2011.

The two governments "are preparing to reopen their respective embassies after Eid al-Fitr in the second half of April," a second regional source close to Damascus told Reuters, as reported on March 24.

The decision was the result of talks in Saudi Arabia with a senior Syrian intelligence official, according to one regional source and a diplomat in the Gulf.

Saudi Arabia's government communications office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Syrian government did not respond to requests for comment.

Saudi state television later confirmed that talks were ongoing with the Syrian Foreign Ministry to resume consular services, citing a Saudi Foreign Ministry official.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

It is known that the United States and some of its regional allies, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which is led by the Sunni group, have supported some Syrian rebels. Meanwhile, President Assad was able to defeat the uprising in most of Syria thanks to the support of Shiite Iran and Russia.

The United States itself is known to have opposed moves by regional countries to normalize relations with the Assad Government, citing its government's brutality during the conflict and the need to see progress toward a political solution.

When asked about the rapprochement, a US State Department spokesperson said "the US stance on normalization has not changed" and that the US will not encourage other countries to normalize relations with President Assad."

Earlier, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, earlier this month said an approach with President Assad's government could lead to Syria's return to the Arab League. Although, at this time it is considered too early to discuss this step.

The diplomat said the Syrian-Saudi talks could pave the way for a vote to lift Syria's suspension at the next Arab summit, which is expected to be held in Saudi Arabia in April.

Although President Assad has forged new ties with Arab countries that once shunned him, US sanctions remain a major inhibiting factor for countries seeking to expand commercial ties.