Italy to Restore Diplomatic Relations with Syria After Ten Years

Italy to Re-establish Diplomatic Ties with Syria After a Decade

In a significant diplomatic shift, Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, announced plans to send an ambassador back to Syria, marking the end of a decade-long absence. This decision, revealed during a session with relevant parliamentary committees on Thursday, could potentially create rifts among Italy’s European Union allies.

Tajani emphasized that the motive behind this move is to prevent Russia from monopolizing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, particularly in Syria. His announcement comes on the heels of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which took place in Moscow. During this meeting, Putin expressed concerns regarding escalating tensions in the Middle East, as reported by the Kremlin.

Moscow has been a pivotal ally for Assad, who has managed to maintain his grip on power despite facing extensive Western isolation and a staggering number of civilian casualties since the onset of Syria’s civil war in March 2011. Initially sparked by peaceful protests against the Assad regime—part of the broader Arab Spring uprisings—the situation quickly deteriorated into a severe crackdown, escalating into a full-blown civil war.

The conflict has been further complicated by the involvement of foreign forces on various sides and the rise of militant groups, beginning with those linked to al-Qaida and later the emergence of the so-called Islamic State, which was ultimately defeated on the battlefield in 2019. The war has resulted in nearly half a million deaths and has displaced around half of Syria’s pre-war population of 23 million. Currently, the conflict remains largely frozen, though low-level fighting persists.

Syria’s territory is now effectively divided among areas controlled by Assad’s Damascus-based government, various opposition factions, and Syrian Kurdish forces. In the early stages of the conflict, numerous Western and Arab nations severed ties with Syria, including Italy, which has since conducted its Syria-related diplomatic efforts through its embassy in Beirut.

However, as Assad regained control over most of the country, neighboring Arab states have gradually sought to restore relations with Syria. A notable instance of this rapprochement occurred last year when Syria was re-admitted to the Arab League, a move that symbolized a shift in regional dynamics.

Tajani articulated that the European Union’s policy regarding Syria must evolve in response to the changing situation, adding that Italy’s initiative has garnered support from several EU nations, including Austria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus, and Slovakia. Despite this, the United States and many allied countries in Europe have largely maintained their stance against Assad’s regime, primarily due to ongoing concerns about human rights abuses.