ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is set to visit Syria on Wednesday on a “very important trip” amid regional developments, Iran’s ambassador to Damascus told state media.
“Dr. Raisi's visit to Damascus next Wednesday will be a very important trip due to the changes and developments that are taking place in the region,” state-run IRNA quoted Hossein Akbari as saying in an interview on Sunday.
The two-day trip to Damascus comes as Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad seems to be welcomed back into the Arab fold, and a recent rapprochement between regional foes Saudi Arabia and Iran.
“This trip will not only be beneficial for Tehran and Damascus,” Akbari said, adding that it would be beneficial for the region.
Syria was expelled from the Arab League when civil war broke out in the country in 2011 as Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, supported the rebels against President Bashar al-Assad.
Iran is one of the main backers of Assad, providing him with financial and military support over the course of the 12-year-old conflict, aiding in propping his government against opposition forces. A number of Iran-backed militia groups are also present in Syria, being frequently targeted by Israeli air attacks.
A devastating earthquake on February 6 which tore through parts of Turkey and Syria prompted nations across the Arab world to extend a helping hand to the already war-torn country.
Following the tragedy, Saudi Arabia said a consensus was emerging among Arab states that an end to Syria’s isolation and return to dialogue is needed in order to address the pending humanitarian issues.
The international community has accused Assad of committing war crimes in rebel-held areas and for brutal repression of opposition in regime-controlled parts of the country.
Largely assisted by Russian air attacks and Iranian support, Assad restored control over most of the country after 12 years of war killed half a million people and displaced almost half of the Syrian population.
Last week, the defense and intelligence heads of Iran, Russia, Syria, and Turkey held talks in Moscow as part of efforts to bring a political solution to the war-torn country.
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