Türkiye’s initiative paves way for Syria’s return to OIC after Assad’s fall

Syria on March 8 welcomed the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) decision to restore its membership, calling it a significant milestone in the country’s return to the international stage following the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime.

“This decision represents a vital step toward Syria's return to the regional and international communities as a free and just state,” the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Reaffirming its commitment to the values of the OIC, the ministry emphasized Syria’s dedication to "the principles of the OIC, including cooperation, justice, and dignity." It further expressed the country’s willingness to work closely with fellow Islamic nations to rebuild and foster regional stability.

“We are ready to work hand in hand with our brothers in the Islamic world to rebuild Syria and strengthen our region based on our shared values of justice, peace, and cooperation,” the statement continued.

Syria also underscored its vision for the future, stating its hopes for "a future where the Syrian people regain their rightful place among nations, contributing to a stronger and more unified Islamic world."

On March 7, Syria formally regained its membership in the OIC, ending a 13-year suspension.

Diplomatic sources revealed that Türkiye played a crucial role in facilitating Syria’s return to the organization during the OIC Extraordinary Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Jeddah.

Syria’s suspension from the OIC was first proposed on June 24, 2012, during an emergency ministerial-level meeting in Jeddah, when violence by the Assad regime against civilians was escalating. This recommendation was later ratified at the 4th Extraordinary OIC Summit in Mecca on August 14-15, 2012, leading to Syria’s exclusion from the organization.

The latest development follows the downfall of Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years before fleeing to Russia on December 8, marking the end of the Baath Party’s decades-long grip on power.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the anti-regime forces that ousted Assad, was declared president for a transitional period on January 29.