Qatari delegation meets Syrian officials to discuss embassy reopening

A Qatari diplomatic delegation arrived in Syria on Sunday to complete the necessary procedures for reopening the Qatari Embassy in Damascus, marking a significant step in the resumption of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed that the delegation met with Syria’s “transitional government.” During the discussions, Qatar reiterated its commitment to supporting the Syrian people in their pursuit of security, peace, development, and prosperity in the aftermath of the country’s ongoing conflict.

The delegation also focused on humanitarian issues, particularly ways to enhance the flow of Qatari aid to Syria. Al-Ansari mentioned that the delegation addressed the urgent needs of the Syrian people during this critical phase of their recovery, in talks with Syrian officials, as reported by the state news agency QNA.

Qatar closed its embassy in Damascus in 2011, following the violent crackdown by the Bashar al-Assad regime on pro-democracy protests. The decision to reopen the embassy comes at a time when Syria is experiencing significant political and territorial shifts.

Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years with an iron fist, fled to Russia on December 8 after anti-regime groups captured key cities, including the capital, Damascus. The takeover, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters, occurred in a rapid offensive that saw several cities fall within two weeks.