UK restores diplomatic ties with Syria as Foreign Secretary Lammy visits Damascus

The United Kingdom has announced the restoration of diplomatic relations with Syria, marking a significant shift in its foreign policy toward the war-torn nation.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy made the announcement during a historic visit to Damascus on July 5, the first by a British minister in 14 years, Caliber.Az reports, citing Western media.

The move comes eight months after the collapse of the Assad regime, which was ousted in December 2024 by an offensive led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group.

“There is renewed hope for the Syrian people,” Lammy said in a statement. “It is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians.” Lammy met with al-Sharaa and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani to discuss bilateral ties, regional developments, and the importance of an inclusive political transition.

The UK has pledged £94.5 million ($129 million) in humanitarian aid to support Syria’s recovery, focusing on education, job creation, and infrastructure reconstruction, as well as assistance for countries hosting Syrian refugees.

The restoration of ties follows a series of diplomatic and economic measures signaling Syria’s reintegration into the international community. In April 2025, the UK lifted sanctions on Syria’s central bank and 23 other entities, including banks and oil companies, to encourage investment, though sanctions on former regime members remain in place. This follows the United States’ decision in June 2025 to terminate its sanctions program on Syria, a move welcomed by al-Shaibani as a step toward “long-awaited reconstruction and development.”

Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011, led to the UK severing ties with the Assad government, closing its embassy in Damascus, and joining airstrikes against Assad’s forces. The conflict, which killed over 500,000 people and displaced millions, left Syria isolated until the HTS-led offensive toppled Assad. The new government, despite HTS’s controversial history as a former al-Qaeda affiliate, has sought to improve relations with Western nations, with al-Sharaa making diplomatic visits to Gulf states and France.

By Khagan Isayev