By Hussein al-Kabbani

ISTANBUL

Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood group has decried moves by some Arab states to reopen their embassies in Damascus.

On Friday, Bahrain said it plans to reopen its embassy in Damascus after a 7-year hiatus. The move came shortly after the United Arab Emirates announced its decision to reopen its embassy in Syria.

The reopening of embassies “is a regrettable step and provides support to the Assad regime,” the Brotherhood said in a statement on Saturday.

The group said “millions of Syrians were looking forward to moves that put an end to this regime and its crimes”.

“Supporting the Assad regime is a support to the Iranian expansionist project, a support to extremism and terrorism in the region and acceptance of all crimes against humanity committed by this regime,” it added.

Last month, the Assad regime said it would welcome moves by Arab states to reestablish formal relations.