Bashar al-Assad met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Damascus on Sunday, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the neighboring countries. The two officials discussed a range of issues, including the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis and heightened regional.
According to a statement from the Assad regime, the talks focused on enhancing ties between Syria and Jordan. Safadi conveyed a message from Jordan’s King Abdullah II addressing regional and bilateral concerns, including the ongoing Syrian crisis.
The refugee issue took center stage during the meeting, with Assad emphasizing that facilitating the safe return of Syrian refugees is a top priority. “Syria has made significant progress in creating the legal and legislative conditions necessary for the return of refugees,” Assad said, despite ongoing reports from human rights organizations highlighting the dangers refugees face upon returning.
Jordan, which hosts hundreds of thousands of Syrians, has also prioritized efforts to resolve the refugee crisis. Safadi reiterated his country’s commitment to stability in Syria: “We continue to support measures that promote recovery in Syria for the benefit of the entire region.”
The visit comes amid growing regional instability. Israeli military operations in Gaza and southern Lebanon have raised concerns of broader regional conflict, with fears of the fighting spilling over into Syria.
Jordan has long advocated a political solution to the Syrian conflict. In recent years, the country has spearheaded initiatives to restore diplomatic relations with Syria and encourage the return of refugees. However, there remains considerable dissatisfaction in Amman over the Assad regime’s handling of security issues, particularly in southern Syria, which borders Jordan.
Amman expressed frustration with Syria’s ineptitude to curb the smuggling of drugs, such as Captagon, across the shared border – a key security concern for Jordan. Despite these tensions, Sunday’s visit reflects efforts to address mutual challenges and promote stability.
The Kingdom’s diplomatic relations with Assad have gradually normalized since 2021 after a decade of estrangement following the Syrian conflict’s onset in 2011 but has faced significant hurdles. In spite of earlier accusations at Amman’s efforts to “sabotage” normalization efforts, this latest engagement signals continued dialogue between the two countries as they navigate the complexities of security, recovery, and regional dynamics.
