Saudi Arabia normalizes diplomatic relations with Iran and Syria US pass rush: Seoul Economic Daily

Following Saudi Arabia’s agreement to normalize diplomatic relations with Iran, it is also seeking to restore diplomatic relations with Syria. Analysts say that US influence in the Middle East will weaken further if relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia, which have been opposed by the US, are restored while China actively intervenes in the situation in the East Center.

Reuters quoted multiple sources on the 23rd (local time) and said, “Syria and Saudi Arabia, which had been severed for 10 years, are beginning to restore relations.” We are preparing to reopen.” According to them, a senior Syrian intelligence officer stayed in the Saudi capital Riyadh for several days and agreed to reopen the embassy afterwards. The Saudi government press office, the foreign ministry and the Syrian government did not respond to requests to confirm an agreement to restore relations.

It is evaluated that Iran, a key ally of Syria, has had an impact on the restoration of relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia as Iran has agreed to normalize diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. The Arab League, a coalition of 22 Arab countries, expelled Syria after the Syrian civil war began in 2011. Arab and Western countries believed the cause of the civil war was Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s harsh crackdown on protests. anti-government, and supported the rebels in the early stages of the civil war. Since then, President Assad has regained control of most of the country with military support from allies such as Russia and Iran, and Arab countries have been trying to restore relations with Syria in recent years.

When the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Syria is restored, Syria’s return to the Arab alliance is also expected to accelerate. Last month, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud suggested that Syria return to the Arab league, saying “the current situation is no longer valid and there is agreement among Arab countries that a different approach must be sought.” The United Arab Emirates (UAE) invited President Al-Assad again this month following March last year, and President Al-Assad visited Abu Dhabi on the 19th. In addition, heads of foreign affairs from Arab countries such as Jordan and Egypt visited Syria one after the other in response to the damage caused by the earthquake in February.

In this case, it is expected that the influence of the United States in the Middle East, which has opposed the restoration of relations between its Arab allies and Syria, will suffer a significant blow. The United States is evaluated as having neglected Middle East diplomacy due to the weakening of the Middle East’s strategic importance due to shale oil exports and conflicts over arms sales regulations. Meanwhile, China is taking advantage of this opportunity to expand its influence in the Middle East. Earlier this month, China presented itself as a mediator in restoring relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, leading to an agreement to normalize diplomatic relations between the two countries.