Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, has commenced talks in Damascus with Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the leader of the armed factions now in power in Syria. According to Al Mamlaka TV, Safadi's visit aims to establish ties with Syria's transitional government.
One of the key topics of discussion is the return of Syrian refugees who sought shelter in Jordan following the onset of the Syrian crisis in 2011. Jordan hosts a significant number of Syrian refugees, with 680,000 registered by the UNHCR and a total of 1.3 million displaced individuals according to Jordanian authorities. Since the leadership change in Damascus on December 8, over 7,250 Syrians have returned from Jordan to their homeland.
King Abdullah II of Jordan previously stated that his country “respects the choice of the Syrian people while prioritizing the security of Syria and its citizens.” This sentiment aligns with discussions held on December 14 in Aqaba, Jordan, where foreign ministers from Arab states, Turkey, the US, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen convened. The meeting emphasized support for an “inclusive political process in Syria” to facilitate a transition in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
Jordan shares a 375-kilometer border with Syria, and the refugee issue remains a critical focus of bilateral discussions as both countries navigate their evolving relationship.
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Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials