Saudi Arabia Reopens Embassy in Damascus After 12-Year Hiatus

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially reopened its embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus after a 12-year closure due to the Syrian crisis. Abdullah Al-Harees, the acting Saudi Chargé d'Affaires in Syria, announced the embassy's reopening during a ceremony attended by Syrian ministers, senior officials and members of the diplomatic corps.

Al-Harees emphasized that this reopening marks a significant moment in the history of Saudi-Syrian relations, highlighting the embassy's commitment to enhancing bilateral ties. Syrian Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Ayman Raad noted that this development would activate and improve joint Arab efforts to benefit the region’s people.

Dr. Riad Abbas, Director of the Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry, described the embassy’s reopening as the start of a new phase aimed at promoting prosperity and stability in Syria and the wider Arab region.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia appointed Faisal bin Saud Al-Mujfel as its ambassador to Syria, marking the first such appointment since the embassy's closure in 2012. Syria also appointed Dr. Muhammad Soussan as its ambassador to Saudi Arabia in January. The decision to reopen diplomatic missions came after Syria's return to the Arab League and the resumption of regular commercial flights between the two countries.