Morocco Officially Reopens Embassy in Damascus After 13-Year Closure

Rabat — Morocco officially reopened its embassy in Damascus last Sunday, resuming full diplomatic operations following a 13-year closure.

The Moroccan monarch announced the decision to reopen the embassy during his speech at the 34th Arab League Summit in Baghdad on May 17.

The move is set to “open broader perspectives in the historical relations between our two countries and our two peoples,” the King said.

Morocco originally closed its Damascus embassy in 2012 during the Syrian civil war, joining many other countries that suspended diplomatic operations due to the conflict.

The civil war followed protests by the Syrian people to demand basic rights and led to the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Al Assad last year, marking the Middle Eastern country’s freedom from a 50-year dictatorship.

Royal support for Syrian people

King Mohammed VI has maintained Morocco’s historical position on Syria, as outlined in his letter to the current interim Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa.

The monarch expressed his country’s support for the Syrian people in their pursuit of freedom, security, and stability while stressing respect for Syria’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shaibani expressed his country’s gratitude for King Mohammed VI’s decision to reopen the embassy on the same day the announcement was made.

New chapter in bilateral relations

The embassy reopening is part of Morocco’s administrative procedures and renovation work to transfer operations to a new location, in a move that officials say aligns with the new dynamic developing in Morocco-Syria relations.

Resumption of full diplomatic services signals Morocco’s commitment to re-engaging with Syria as the country works toward stability and recovery, a diplomatic step that represents a major development in Morocco-Syria relations.

The reopening positions Morocco among the growing number of Arab nations seeking to normalize relations with Syria and support its return to the regional diplomatic fold.