The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was among the first actors to engage with the shift in Syria positively. The country’s new circumstances were discussed during the GCC’s Kuwait Summit on the first of December. The Summit’s Final Statement stressed the need to respect Syria’s sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity, as well as to give primacy to reason and dialogue. However, the Gulf was disappointed with Bashar al-Assad’s intransigence, his failure to respect the commitments he had made to the Arab League, and his refusal to cooperate with the United Nations to reach a political solution.
After the summit, GCC foreign ministers held an extraordinary meeting to review recent developments. The statement issued on December 26 laid out the Council’s position in more detail. Subsequently, a high-level Gulf delegation visited Damascus to meet with the new Syrian leadership, which affirmed its commitment to establishing a close partnership with GCC states, focusing on shared interests and restoring the two sides’ historical relationship.
The manner of the GCC’s engagement with Syria’s historic shift reflects the priorities of the Gulf states, which align with those of the Syrian people. Respect for Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity is the ultimate priority. That requires preventing interference in Syria’s affairs and allowing the Syrian people the opportunity to resolve their issues on their own. For instance, Israel and Iran should withdraw their influence from Syria, Russia should respect the decision that the Syrian people reach regarding its forces stationed there, and Türkiye and the United States must acknowledge Damascus’s role vis a vis the Kurdish question. The Biden administration has shown some flexibility in this regard, President-elect Donald Trump might follow a similar path. Russia has also shown some flexibility. On the other hand, Israel has intensified its attacks on Syria, seized more of Syrian territory, and unilaterally canceled the disengagement agreement, as well as maintaining its claim to sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Türkiye’s position remains ambiguous, and it may ultimately hinge on how things develop about the Kurdish question.
Second, the GCC supports the Syrian people’s effort to build an open and inclusive system of governance, moving beyond Assad’s sectarian policies. A transitional justice process must hold members of the deposed regime who had committed crimes. Still, national reconciliation and the integration of those who are innocent of such crimes are equally essential. Syria has long taken pride in its rich cultural diversity, and citizens’ roles in the country should depend on merit rather than being determined by the sectarian or ethnic quotas that have plagued some of its neighbors.
Thirdly, the GCC welcomed Syria’s decision to disband militias and armed factions, thereby ensuring that the state maintains a monopoly on the legitimate use of violence, the rule of law, and the safety of all citizens.
Fourth, the Council welcomed the new administration’s statements affirming that Syria will no longer pose a threat to its Arab neighbors and that it will be contributing to the maintenance of regional security and stability. That approach breaks with the previous regime’s, which had allied with anti-Arab forces, harboring terrorist groups and drug trafficking networks that targeted the Gulf states.
Fifth, the GCC was reassured by Damascus’s remarks about constructive engagement with the Arab world and the international community. This contrasts with the former regime’s refusal to cooperate with the Arab League and the United Nations, which had been pushing for a political solution in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.
Sixth, the Council calls on international partners to act swiftly and collectively to restore stability and ensure that Syria can recover as soon as possible. The war has devastated the economy. Syria’s GDP shrank by 87% in ten years, from $68 billion in 2011 to $9 billion, while GDP per capita has plummeted to $400 annually. The export sector has collapsed, dropping to $2 billion (15% of what it had been) during the same period. Only 1% of Syrians were facing food insecurity, and the war had raised that number to 52% by 2022. Additionally, much of this infrastructure, including electricity, roads, schools, and places of worship, has been destroyed.
Although GCC countries rushed to send aid to Syria, this help does not meet Syria’s needs. Therefore, the Council proposed holding an international conference to push for humanitarian and economic assistance, as well as to stimulate the economy and ensure that state institutions can meet responsibilities to citizens.
Seventh, facilitating the safe and voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons is particularly crucial to the effort to restore stability and normalcy. The war forced the majority of Syrians to flee its horrors. According to the United Nations, over 12 million Syrians (52% of the population) do not live in their homes- 7 million citizens are internally displaced within Syria and 5 million are refugees. The speed at which they return will depend on how quickly security and basic services are restored, as well as the pace at which critical infrastructure is rebuilt, especially in health, education, housing, and utility networks like electricity and water.
Eighth, the GCC has engaged positively with the United Nations Secretary-General’s suggestion that a UN mission be sent to help bring back normalcy in Syria, reinforcing its ability to face political, economic, and security challenges. Syria taking the lead, with international and regional actors and bodies playing a supporting role, would be optimal. The Syrian leadership has announced that it intends to hold a national dialogue conference, a promising step toward rebuilding national unity and social cohesion.
Ninth, the GCC has called on the international community to help Syria turn the page on the past by lifting sanctions, providing assistance that helps restore stability and ensures an early recovery, and encouraging the private sector to play a vital role in driving economic growth once again. At the same time, international cooperation is crucial to the fight against terrorism and preventing the resurgence of ISIS. European countries should take back citizens who had gone to Syria and ISIS, as well as their families, rather than leaving them in camps that place a burden on Syria and pose security threats. Türkiye and the United States must encourage the Kurds to reach an agreement on a unified Syrian state with Damascus. The United States should also pressure Israel to abandon its belligerence in Syria.
Finally, the Gulf Cooperation Council strongly supports Syria’s reintegration into its Arab world, as well as its reclamation of its historic role in promoting regional security and stability, so that Syria can become part of the economic and cultural renaissance in the region. Indeed, Syria has always been a beacon of culture. All of these aspirations contrast with Assad’s policies. He was a traitor who served the enemies of the Arab nation, relying on its adversaries to crush his own people and attack his Arab neighbors.
