Qatar says to reopen its embassy in Syria ‘soon’

ISTANBUL

Qatar said Wednesday that it will reopen its embassy in Syria “soon” following the downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

“Doha will reopen its embassy in Damascus soon after completing the necessary arrangements," Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid al-Ansari told the state news agency QNA.

He said the move aims “to strengthen the close historical fraternal relations between the two countries and their peoples and reflects Qatar's steadfast support for the brotherly Syrian people, who are looking forward to building their state on the foundations of justice, peace, stability and prosperity."

Qatar closed its embassy in Damascus in July 2011 following a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Syria by the Assad regime.

The embassy reopening “will enhance coordination with the relevant authorities to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid,” Ansari said.

On Tuesday, Qatar launched an airlift to provide humanitarian aid to Syria following Assad’s fall.

A Qatari military cargo plane carrying food and medical assistance to Syria arrived in Türkiye's southeastern Gaziantep city on Tuesday.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus early Sunday, ending the Baath Party rule, which had been in power since 1963.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar