Syria's foreign minister officially reopened the embassy in London after a closure lasting more than a decade, signaling a step toward diplomatic reintegration following years of conflict. The visit followed interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa's historic trip to Washington — the first Syrian presidential visit to the U.S. since 1946. Officials report around 300 people detained over recent coastal violence that escalated into sectarian attacks affecting Alawite and Druze communities. Diplomats say the moves may ease Syria's isolation, though security and minority-rights concerns persist.
Syria Reopens Embassy in London After More Than a Decade, Deepening Diplomatic Ties
Syria's foreign minister officially reopened the embassy in London after a closure lasting more than a decade, signaling a step toward diplomatic reintegration following years of conflict. The visit followed interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa's historic trip to Washington — the first Syrian presidential visit to the U.S. since 1946. Officials report around 300 people detained over recent coastal violence that escalated into sectarian attacks affecting Alawite and Druze communities. Diplomats say the moves may ease Syria's isolation, though security and minority-rights concerns persist.
04:45 AM, 11/14/2025Politics
Syria reopens its London embassy as diplomatic ties rebuild
Syria's foreign minister formally reopened the country's embassy in London on Thursday, ending a closure that lasted more than a decade and marking another step in the country's reintegration into the international community following years of conflict and political upheaval.
The visit by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani to the United Kingdom followed a historic trip to Washington by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa — the first visit by a Syrian president to the United States since Syria’s independence in 1946.
Speaking at an event organized by the London-based Chatham House international affairs think tank, al-Shibani described his meeting with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper as "successful." He said the two governments are not "opening a new page" but rather seeking to "deepen existing relations."
"Relations between Syria and Britain are advanced relations and we are not talking about opening a new page — we are talking about deepening these relations," al-Shibani said.
Al-Shibani also addressed concerns about interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa's past, noting that the United Kingdom had taken a comparatively constructive stance toward the new Syrian leadership.
"It removed sanctions early and reopened relations with the new Syrian government quickly," he said, adding that Britain had backed Syria in the U.N. Security Council and assisted on a number of difficult issues.
Security concerns and minority protection
Despite renewed diplomatic recognition from several countries, concerns persist about the protection of minorities and local security. Recent clashes on Syria's coast and in the southern province of Sweida have escalated into sectarian revenge attacks, and Sunni pro-government gunmen were blamed for killing large numbers of civilians from the Alawite and Druze communities.
Al-Shibani said about 300 people are currently detained for their alleged roles in the violence along the coast and noted that the government has made efforts to recruit Alawites into local police forces. "The mistakes or crimes that happened are certainly not accepted by the Syrian government," he added.
What this means
The embassy reopening and high-profile diplomatic visits signal a concerted push to restore Syria's international relationships. Observers say the moves could ease Syria's diplomatic isolation, but human rights concerns and sectarian tensions remain critical issues for foreign governments and international organizations monitoring the country's transition.