ISTANBUL

Since the Arab League suspended Syria's membership in 2011 following its crackdown on popular protests, the past years have witnessed gradual normalization between Arab capitals and Damascus.

A total of 10 Arab countries restored official relations with the Bashar al-Assad regime, while eight have been reviewing the situation and three refused to normalize.

Countries restoring ties

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied decided on April 3, 2023 to appoint an ambassador to Damascus, whereas, Jordan put forward an initiative to end freezing Syria's seat in the Arab League.

Oman, unlike other Arab Gulf States, continues to recognize the Assad regime as Syria’s legitimate ruling authority. Muscat returned its ambassador to Damascus on Oct. 4, 2020 as the first Gulf country to do so since 2011.

Sudan, however, returned to normalizing its relations with the Syrian regime after the visit of former President Omar al-Bashir in December 2018 to Damascus and his meeting with al-Assad.

The UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus on Dec. 27, 2018, after seven years of closure at the level of charge d'affairs. Last month, Al-Assad visited the capital Abu Dhabi.

As for Bahrain, Manamah announced in December 2018 that it "continues to work at its embassy in Syria."

Moreover, Mauritania decided on March 12, 2020 to appoint an ambassador in Damascus, whose credentials were approved about a year later.

Algeria and Iraq did not freeze their relations with the Syrian regime, and supported Syria's return to the Arab League.

Palestine also did not sever relations with Damascus.

8 countries reviewing ties

Saudi Arabia received the regime's Foreign Minister Faisal Al-Miqdad on Wednesday, the first visit of its kind in 12 years.

Also, Egypt maintained a low level of diplomatic representation with the regime, and it supports the resumption of relations, provided there is an Arab consensus.

Lebanon, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, Djibouti, and Comoros have been reassessing the situation in light of developments, while adhering to what is issued by the Arab League.

3 countries refraining from normalization

Qatar has refrained from normalizing ties with the Syrian regime and is the only Arab country that hosts an ambassador for the Syrian opposition coalition.

In addition, Kuwaiti authorities denied in November 2018 the validity of news about the reopening of its embassy in Damascus.

So far, Morocco has not announced any decision regarding the resumption of relations with the Syrian regime.

*Ikram Kouachi contributed to this report.