Algeria–Syria relations

Algeria-Syria relations

Algeria	Syria
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Algeria, Damascus	Embassy of Syria, Algiers

Algeria–Syria relations refers to the relationship between the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria and Syria. Algeria has an embassy in Damascus; while Syria has an embassy in Algiers. Both are members of the Arab League. During the Syrian conflict, Algeria was one of the few Arab countries that maintained close ties with the Government of Syria under Bashar al-Assad, and has defended Syria within the Arab League.

History

The struggle of Algerians against French colonialism during the Algerian War drew inspirations from the other Arab states such as Syria. With such, following the independence of Algeria in 1962 and the 1963 Syrian coup d'état, the two countries established relations. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 August 1962.^[1]

Syrian Civil War

Main article: Syrian Civil War

During the civil war in Syria, Algeria has maintained diplomatic ties and opposed any plan to arm the opposition.^[2] From the Algerian state's point of view, the Syrian war and the rise of fundamentalism caused significant concerns.^[3] According to commentators, this is a legacy of the tensions between Algeria and Saudi Arabia over the Algerian Civil War. As such, Algeria has vehemently opposed the other Arab countries' decisions to arm the Syrian opposition amidst the conflict in Syria due to Algeria's historical trauma, and quietly supports the Syrian Government.^[4]

Algeria had also acted as mediator between Syria and Turkey.^[5] As of 2015, Algeria has received nearly 25,000 Syrian refugees fleeing the country. Most Syrians in Algeria are now working in small and medium businesses.^[6][7]

Since 2019, Algeria has been lobbying for the restoration of Syria's full membership in the Arab League.^[8] In 2021, a joint Syria-Algeria Cooperation Committee was created, both countries later took an advanced step to raise this committee to the level of a joint higher cooperation committee under the leadership of both Prime Ministers by signing a significant number of agreements, protocols, memoranda of understanding and various programs that cover economic and cultural sectors.^[9] In 2022, the Algeria-Syria Business Council was established with the aim of strengthening economic relations between the two countries.^[10]

In July 2022, Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad made an official visit to Algeria on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Algerian independence.^[11] As part of it, he met with the President of Algeria Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra and the President of the Council of the Nation of Algeria Salah Goudjil.^[12] On 25 July 2022, Algerian Foreign Minister Lamamra made a reciprocal visit, during which he held talks with President Assad and Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad.^[13]

Earthquake

Following the Turkey-Syria earthquakes in February 2023, Algeria delivered tons of urgent relief aid to Syria including medicine, and food, as well as paramedics and doctors. In addition, the Algerian Red Crescent prepared an air bridge to Syria.^[14]

See also

• Foreign relations of Algeria
• Foreign relations of Syria

References

1. Mideast Mirror. 1962. p. 18.
2. "Algerian Ambassador to Syria: Algeria's stance towards Syria is firm". SANA (Syrian state news agency). 9 November 2015.
3. Salim Tamani (10 September 2012). "The Syrian crisis viewed from Algeria". Aspen Institute Aspenia Online.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
4. Vijay Prashad. "What Algeria's 'Black War' Can Teach Us About the Syrian Crisis". AlterNet.
5. Sami Moubayed (15 July 2016). "Algeria mediated secret Turkish-Syrian talks: Syrian source". Gulf News.
6. "Syrian refugees in Algeria". Al Arabiya. 9 May 2015.
7. Latefa Guemar (17 June 2014). "Seeking safety in Algeria: Syrian refugee women's resilience". Open Democracy.
8. Fedaa al-Rhayiah/Shaza Qriema (2 July 2022). "Algerian Foreign Minister: Syria is a founding member of the Arab League". SANA. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
9. "Syrian- Algerian relations are distinguished in all fields, Algerian Ambassador in Damascus". SANA. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
10. Hala Zain (17 July 2022). "Syrian-Algerian Business Council established". SANA. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
11. Nisreen Othman / Mazen Eyon (5 July 2022). "Mikdad participates in the official celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Algeria's independence". SANA. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
12. "Algerian President, Mikdad discuss means of strengthening bilateral relations, issues of common interest". SANA. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
13. "Mikdad: Syria's main concern is to consolidate Arab solidarity to counter common challenges". SANA. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
14. "Turkey-Syria quake: Algeria sends 210 tonnes urgent humanitarian aid for disaster victims". Algerian Press Service. Retrieved 19 March 2024.

External links

• Foreign Ministry of Syria^{[permanent dead link‍]} (in Arabic)
• Algerian Embassy in Syria (in Arabic)