Spain raised its flag at its embassy in Damascus, Syria, on Thursday, marking the return of its diplomatic presence more than a decade after suspending operations. The event, attended by Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, comes as Western nations reestablish ties following the ousting of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
The embassy had closed its doors in March 2012, a year after Assad launched a violent crackdown on anti-government protests that escalated into a devastating conflict lasting over 13 years.
‘It is an honour for me to be here in person,’ Albares said during the ceremony, where the Spanish national anthem was played.
‘Raising the Spanish flag again is a sign of the hope we have for Syria’s future, of the commitment we convey to the Syrian people for a better future,’ he added.
Ahead of his visit, Spain’s foreign ministry announced that Albares would hold meetings with representatives from Syria’s transitional administration as well as members of civil society.
The visit follows more than a month after the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a rebellion that toppled Assad. Since then, top European officials, including foreign ministers from France and Germany, have also visited Syria to engage with its new leadership.
HTS, which has historical ties to Al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch, has appointed a transitional administration set to govern until March. The group has pledged to safeguard minorities and uphold the rule of law.
Speaking to Spain’s public broadcaster TVE before his trip, Albares stressed that ‘the message that I want to send is a message of support to Syria’.
‘But we also have red lines,’ he added. ‘Syria must be peaceful. Syria must be inclusive, and the rights of all must be respected, including those of women, and ethnic and religious minorities.’
‘This will be my first official trip this year,’ Albares said, noting his intention to begin with a region where Spanish foreign policy plays a significant role in fostering peace.
Albares’s visit to Syria comes after a stop in neighbouring Lebanon on Wednesday, where he announced a €10 million aid package for the Lebanese army, nearly two months into a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
España regresa a Siria tras más de 12 años. Hoy hemos izado nuestra bandera en la Embajada de España en Damasco.
— José Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) January 16, 2025
También he impuesto la condecoración al personal al frente de la legación en tiempos llenos de desafíos en reconocimiento a su labor. pic.twitter.com/hVcjk8NJ64
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