Relations between Arab countries are being redefined. In this context, direct flights have started between Saudi Arabia and Syria after 12 years. However, this movement is only for Haj pilgrimage. Know why the relations between the two countries remained sour for 12 years.
Direct flights between Syria and Saudi Arabia began on Tuesday. This movement between the two countries has started keeping in mind the annual Haj pilgrimage. Direct movement between the two countries had stopped after the civil war that began in Syria 12 years ago.
An official working under the Syrian Transport Ministry told news agency AFP that a flight carrying 270 Syrian pilgrims took off on Tuesday. This flight reached Jeddah, Saudi Arabia directly. Many more such direct travels can be seen between the two countries in the coming days.
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However, this current form of movement between the two countries will continue only during Hajj.
A glimpse of this was seen in 2023 itself
This new development is being seen as an improvement in the relations between the two countries. A glimpse of improvement in diplomatic relations between the two was seen last year itself. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visited Saudi Arabia in May 2023.
Here he attended the Arab League summit held in Riyadh. Bashar al-Assad was attending this summit after almost 13 years. This move was seen as Syria’s return to the Arab League and softening of relations with Riyadh.
What is the Arab League, when did Syria get out?
Arab League: It is a regional forum of the countries of the Arab world. It was established in March 1945 in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. When the foundation of this organization was laid, its total number of members was 6. These 6 countries were – Egypt, Iraq, Trans Jordan (then Jordan), Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Syria.
However, Yemen also joined this organization in May, just two months later. Today, the Arab League has a total of 22 members. The Arab League had cancelled Syria’s membership in 2011. The reason for this is also the same civil war due to which Saudi Arabia and Syria had broken off relations.
What happened in Syria in 2011?
In 2011, during the Arab Spring, violent protests began in Syria against the government of Bashar al-Assad. This was seen as a protest against Assad’s rule and a demand for a democratic government. Assad’s government adopted brutal methods to suppress the protests.
Later, many media reports said that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and many other Arab countries supported the group of armed fighters to overthrow Assad’s government. On the other hand, Assad got the support of Russia, Iran and many other fighters but Assad’s government did not fall.
When Arab countries started realizing that it was not possible to topple Assad’s government, they once again started improving relations. The improving relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria is an example of that.
