Jordan's Foreign Minister Makes Historic Damascus Visit Amid Syrian Transition

Monday 23 December 2024 - 11:45

By: Dakir Madiha

Jordan's Foreign Minister Makes Historic Damascus Visit Amid Syrian Transition

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi conducted a landmark diplomatic visit to Damascus on Monday, meeting with Syria's newly appointed head of state Ahmed al-Sharaa. The visit marks the first high-level Jordanian diplomatic engagement since the recent change in Syrian leadership following Bashar al-Assad's departure.

The Jordanian foreign ministry released photographs documenting the handshake between Safadi and al-Sharaa, though specific details about their discussions remained limited. Prior to the meeting, ministry officials had indicated that Safadi would engage with al-Sharaa and several other Syrian officials during his visit.

This diplomatic mission follows a recent summit hosted by Jordan, where international stakeholders including Arab nations, Turkey, the European Union, and the United States gathered to discuss Syria's peaceful transition after years of civil conflict. Al-Sharaa, whose organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led the movement that resulted in al-Assad's exit on December 8, has been actively engaging with various international diplomats in recent weeks.

Jordanian government spokesman Mohamed Momani emphasized his country's supportive stance toward Syria's development, stating that Amman "sides with the will of the brotherly Syrian people." He underscored the historical bonds between the neighboring nations and expressed Jordan's desire for restored security and stability in Syria, particularly emphasizing the importance of territorial integrity.

The visit carries significant implications for regional stability and refugee movements. Jordanian authorities have reported that over 7,000 Syrian refugees have begun returning to their homeland, from an estimated total of 1.3 million hosted by Jordan. The United Nations has officially registered 680,000 Syrian refugees within Jordan's borders.

Security concerns remain a priority for Jordan, which maintains strict control over its 375-kilometer border with Syria. The kingdom has intensified efforts to combat smuggling operations, particularly focusing on the trafficking of captagon, an amphetamine-like stimulant, and weapons across the border.

This high-level diplomatic engagement represents a significant step in regional dynamics and potentially signals a new chapter in Jordanian-Syrian relations during this period of transition.