Most Arab states are going to re-establish relations with Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria which was heavily affected by the twelve-year civil war. According to multiple sources including the BBC, President Assad has been welcomed by several Arab countries recently and Syria was given back its membership status in the Arab League that was canceled for the civil war for years. Earlier, Iran and Saudi Arabia, mediated by China, agreed to improve their relations and re-established their embassies, which were withdrawn for years. The reinstatement of Syria in the Arab League and improved relations between Syria and several Arab countries and between Saudi Arabia and Iran may have significant effects on peace in the Middle East.
It is pertinently notable that armed conflicts have been devastating several Arab states including Syria and Yemen for years, not only in terms of deaths but also in economic, social and other terms. The Syrian civil war involving the Assad government and rebel groups has led to half a million deaths and the displacement of several million Syrians. Also, Yemen — another most affected country by civil war — has already experienced devastating consequences of its civil war with millions of deaths and displacements. Global and regional efforts made by the United Nations, the Arab League, the European Union, the United States and other parties were definitely remarkable. They have made some notable improvements including, but not limited to, reaching ceasefire agreements among the conflicting parties but the catastrophic civil wars in both countries have yet to be resolved, though the severity of the armed conflict has reduced significantly recently.
Definitely, global and regional factors, along with authoritative regimes, their repression of oppositions and several other causes, put significant hindrances to ending armed conflicts in several Arab states. Among the causes, regional rivalries among countries including Iran and Saudi Arabia were deterrence to ending armed conflicts. While Iran backed the Assad government in Syria and Houthi rebels in Yemen, Saudi Arabia supported rebels in Syria and the Hadi government in Yemen. The positive side is that the impacts of renewed ties are already visible in peace in several Arab states. Saudi Arabia has talked to Yemen’s Houthi rebels about the ending of the Yemen civil war and Syria has already agreed to resolve many of its civil war-driven problems including the refugee problem.
The hope for the resolution of conflicts and the mitigation of associated problems in the Middle East probably appears to be higher at this time compared to any other time because of the recently improved relations among Arab states and their intention to resolve them. It is desired that efforts are made to resolve conflicts in Arab countries including Syria and Yemen. But continued talks among Arab leaders are imperative to mitigate disputes and reach acceptable solutions. The earnest intention of Arab countries including Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran is definitely crucial. A good intention of global powers may also be imperative for ending conflicts and bringing peace to the Middle East.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
