Why are Arab countries reestablishing ties with Syria?
Syria’s relations with the Arab world are expected to witness a major breakthrough. In particular, this is being witnessed at the diplomatic level with Arab states reestablishing diplomatic ties with Damascus, as well as in the economic front with trade and investments being sought in Syria.
By Abdalla Ahmad
Syria’s relations with the Arab world has witnessed tremendous changes with the beginning of the “Arab Spring”, where these shifts reflect the intra-Arab differences and disparity on key Arab issues
Arab relations witnessed a great rivalry in the fifties and sixties of the last century, when the United States supported the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Iraq under the leadership of Nuri al-Said to confront the Arab nationalist tide led by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser in alliance with Syria at the time. That trend continued during the previous decades, especially after the first and the second Gulf War. The Arab divide deepened as former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein declared war on the Islamic Republic of Iran. Syria felt that this war was harmful to Arab interests and the Palestinian cause, and the rivalry and division was evident after the second Iraqi War, where Syria rejected Saudi Arabia and some other countries’ efforts to normalize relations with Israel before the latter withdrew from all the occupied Arab territories
Despite the Arab solidarity during the 1973 war with Israel, the use of oil as a weapon against the Western countries that support Israel at that stage, the contrast between Syria on the one hand and some Arab countries allied with the Americans on the other was clear even as Syria sought rapprochement with other Arab countries,. Syria sought to improve intra-Arab relations and resolve differences between the Arab states, and to activate the role of the Arab League to serve Arab interests. However, this project was thwarted by other Arab countries, allied with the US. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries sought to extend the Iraq-Iran war, used the Arab League to justify the invasion Iraq in 2003 as well as to destroy Libya and target Syria during the current crisis. Being the heart of Arab nationalism, Syria opposed American and Western projects supporting Israel in the region.
Despite the Arab rapprochement with Syria, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in particular, before the eruption of the current crisis, tried to facilitate a shift in Syria’s geopolitical position to a pro-American one; it was the same with Turkish and French attempts, where these countries tried to exploit relations with Syria in order to penetrate Syrian society, as a prerequisite to prepare for what is called the Arab Spring.
Thus, it was argued that these relations were within the framework of strategic disinformation, especially when Syria rejected Colin Paul’s conditions during the invasion of Iraq, such as cessation of support to Hezbollah and Palestinian fations; amending the Syrian constitution, cutting back relations with Iran and so on. Syria, of coruse, rejected these conditions and supported the popular resistance in Iraq to end the US occupation there.
At the beginning of the current crisis, which could be described as an American geopolitical attack on the region, a great shift in Syrian-Arab relations took place. The Arab League, dominated by the Gulf states (especially by Qatar and Saudi Arabia), became a tool for regime change in Syria. In particular, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, politically, militarily, and through the media, supported and financed extremist armed groups in Syria.
The conflict between Syria and those Arab states allied with the West, reached its peak.
For Syria, it became impossible to bet on other Arab countries. The chaos engulfed the key Arab states such as Iraq and Egypt. Therefore, Syria stood alone fighting terrorism and destructive Western projects, with help from non-Arab countries like Russia and Iran, and from Iran backed Arab organizations like Hezbollah. After years of war, Syria has succeeded in maintaining its independence and regaining most of the areas captured by terrorists, particularly by those like ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra. The remaining areas in Idlib and in eastern Syria are expected to be liberated in the coming months.
The return of stability to Syria, and the realization of the countries that regime change has failed in Syria, has prompted some Arab countries to open channels with the Syrian state. Those like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and some other countries reopened their embassies in Damascus. Syria’s relations with Oman did not undergo any rupture, while Syria’s relations with Kuwait and with Egypt have witnessed positive developments.
These countries realized the failure of the regime change project, as well as the fact that regional circumstances have changed. Thus, they have chosen to deal pragmatically with the new situation and also derive commercial gains through investment in the reconstruction of Syria, and Syria needs massive reconstruction now. Yet another important factor that has stimulated these Arab states to mend ties with Syria is the threat perceived from the Turkish project based on the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood, and the spread of this ideology in the region.
Despite the threats of US President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on the countries participating in the Damascus International Fair, the exhibition opened with a large Arab participation, especially from Oman, Kuwait, and the UAE. There is a significant increase in the number of companies participating in the current session of the Damascus International Fair as compared to the one held last year, an increase of 500 Arab and foreign companies. This is proof enough that the exhibition has been a success, despite all the threats and unilateral sanctions imposed on Syria.
It the end, the Syria’s relations with the Arab world are expected to witness a major breakthrough. In particular, this is being witnessed at the diplomatic level with Arab states reestablishing diplomatic ties with Damascus, as well as in the economic front with trade and investments being sought in Syria. Damascus has received numerous messages and signaling in this regard, despite the US sanctions in the coming months. Considering that Syria is the Arab gateway to Europe, the beating heart of Arabism, with all its history and symbolism, most Arab countries seek to participate in the its reconstruction, which is expected to begin soon. However, the main obstacle to the development of Arab relations with Syria, and to the reconstruction phase is the US-Western sanctions directed against the Syrian people.
Syria has been able to withstand and thwart subversive Western projects, the near future will see the return of Syria’s influence as it existed before the crisis erupted. Syria’s options are great, especially with friendly countries such as Russia, China, Iran, India and other Asian countries.
(The author is a Senior Researcher and Advisor in Geopolitical Affairs based in Damascus)
