Syria’s OIC membership, frozen since 2012, was re-activated during a Jeddah meeting, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. The initiative, proposed by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, was accepted by the OIC, allowing Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani to reclaim the nation’s seat. This move signals a rebuilding of ties between Syria and Arab nations after years of conflict.

Syria’s membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which has been on hold since 2012, was officially re-activated during a recent meeting of the 57-member organization held in Jeddah. This development was confirmed by a Turkish diplomatic source. The move marks a significant shift in relations following an 11-year civil war that resulted in the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.

The activation was initiated by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, whose proposal gained acceptance during the OIC foreign ministers’ meeting. The decision to freeze Syria’s involvement was made in August 2012 due to the ongoing conflict in the country. Following the vote, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani was invited to take his nation’s seat at the meeting, to which members applauded his arrival, as evidenced by a video from Turkey’s Foreign Ministry.

Turkey, a NATO member, has long supported the opposition seeking to depose Assad and is now aligning with Syria’s new Islamist government. Turkey has expressed its commitment to assist in rebuilding Syria and providing military training to its forces. In a further indication of Syria’s reintegration into the Arab community, newly elected President Ahmed al-Sharaa received an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to attend an upcoming Arab League summit in Cairo.

The reactivation of Syria’s OIC membership signifies an important diplomatic step towards normalizing Syria’s relations with the Arab world and the broader international community. With Turkish support and invitations to regional summits, Syria aims to strengthen its ties following years of isolation due to the civil war. This development reflects a notable shift in geopolitical dynamics in the region.

Original Source: www.newarab.com