Houthis Claim Assad Closed Embassy to Facilitate Saudi Embassy Opening
Yemen’s Houthi group reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad closed their embassy in return for the opening of the Saudi embassy. Following Assad’s recent governmental collapse, Houthi representatives confirmed the embassy staff’s return to Yemen. This shift indicates a possible realignment of alliances in the Middle East as several nations establish ties with Assad after years of isolation.
In a recent statement, Yemen’s Houthi rebel group asserted that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had shut down their embassy in Damascus, reportedly in exchange for the opening of the Saudi embassy in 2023. Following the downfall of Assad’s government, Houthi spokesperson Nasruddin Amer noted on social media that the embassy staff had returned to Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, around October 2023. The Houthis, linked to the so-called Axis of Resistance against Israel and with ties to Iran, find themselves reassessing their support for Assad, especially as several Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have begun normalizing relations with the Syrian president after years of isolation due to the ongoing civil war. This relationship shift suggests a significant political realignment in the region, particularly against the backdrop of recent military losses for Assad against opposing factions such as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, prompting criticism from former allies and the emergence of dialogues with other parties formerly at odds with Assad’s governance.
The Houthis, also known as Ansarallah, have historically been affiliated with the Axis of Resistance, comprising various entities opposed to Israel and with connections to Iran. In recent years, however, President Assad’s efforts to break away from his previously isolated international standing have resulted in some Arab countries re-establishing diplomatic ties with Syria, signaling potential shifts in regional alliances. The collapse of Assad’s government and movements by opposing factions indicate a fluid situation in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for key players to reassess their positions and strategies in light of evolving circumstances.
The closure of the Houthi embassy by Bashar al-Assad in Damascus symbolizes the shifting allegiances and evolving diplomatic landscape in the Middle East. As countries once unified against a common enemy begin to redefine their relationships, the Houthis’ reassessment of their ties to Assad unveils the fragility of alliances within the Axis of Resistance. This turmoil highlights the ongoing instability in Syria and the interconnected nature of Middle Eastern politics, as former allies find themselves at odds amidst the chaos.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
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