Britain officially restored diplomatic relations with Syria on Saturday as Foreign Secretary David Lammy made the first UK ministerial visit to Damascus in 14 years, marking a diplomatic thaw eight months after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The restoration of ties represents a calculated shift in British foreign policy aimed at supporting Syria's transitional government while advancing UK security interests, including countering terrorism and reducing irregular migration flows to Europe.
During his visit to Damascus, Lammy held talks with Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister al-Shaibani to discuss supporting the country's political transition1. The Foreign Secretary emphasized the importance of building "an inclusive and representative political transition" while offering continued UK support to the Syrian people1.
"As the first UK Minister to visit Syria since the fall of Assad's brutal regime, I've seen first-hand the remarkable progress Syrians have made in rebuilding their lives and their country," Lammy said1. He described the restoration as serving British interests by creating "a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians"2.
Lammy also met with Syrian Civil Defence volunteers, known as the White Helmets, to discuss their work in removing unexploded ordnance and providing emergency medical services1.
The UK committed an additional £2 million to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to support efforts addressing Assad's chemical weapons legacy1. This funding will assist the OPCW's operations in Syria as the new government works to eliminate remaining chemical weapons stockpiles1.
The UK had previously pledged up to £160 million in support for Syria in 2025, providing humanitarian assistance and supporting agriculture, livelihoods, and education programs2. British sanctions on Syrian government agencies, including the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense, were lifted in April 20252.
The UK closed its embassy in Damascus in 2012 during Assad's violent crackdown on Syrian opposition forces1. Assad's regime collapsed in December 2024 following a rapid offensive by opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, ending more than five decades of Assad family rule23.
The transitional government faces ongoing challenges, including March 2025 clashes in western Syria where pro-Assad insurgents killed nearly 400 security personnel before being repelled4. Russia continues to refuse Syrian requests to extradite Assad, who was granted asylum in Moscow2.
