عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Jordan, Syria Sign 20 Agreements to Boost Ties

Jordan’s King Abdullah II receives the Syrian ministerial delegation participating in the Jordan-Syria Higher Coordination Council, in the presence of Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II (Royal Court)
Jordan’s King Abdullah II receives the Syrian ministerial delegation participating in the Jordan-Syria Higher Coordination Council, in the presence of Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II (Royal Court)
TT
TT

Jordan, Syria Sign 20 Agreements to Boost Ties

Jordan’s King Abdullah II receives the Syrian ministerial delegation participating in the Jordan-Syria Higher Coordination Council, in the presence of Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II (Royal Court)
Jordan’s King Abdullah II receives the Syrian ministerial delegation participating in the Jordan-Syria Higher Coordination Council, in the presence of Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II (Royal Court)

Jordan and Syria signed more than 20 bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding on Sunday, marking a significant step toward restoring strategic ties that had been frozen since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011.

Jordanian diplomacy has dealt pragmatically with restoring relations with Damascus after years of rupture caused by the war, which ended with the fall of the former Syrian regime and the departure of Bashar al-Assad to Moscow in late 2024.

Meetings of the second session of the Jordanian-Syrian Higher Coordination Council, held in Amman, reflected an advanced stage of renewed cooperation across a range of bilateral issues and a shared desire to achieve mutual economic gains.

A Jordanian government source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the talks, chaired by the two countries’ foreign ministers, resulted in the signing of more than 20 agreements and memorandums covering economic and key strategic projects. The source said the outcome demonstrated “the Syrian side’s seriousness in pursuing a genuine partnership with Jordan.”

The meetings take on added importance amid regional security, military and economic repercussions stemming from the ongoing conflict between Iran on one side and Israel and the United States on the other, as countries increasingly search for alternative trade routes to secure supply chains for goods and energy.

Jordan views its border with Syria as a gateway for exports to Türkiye and Europe, while Damascus sees Jordan as a safe corridor for its goods to Gulf countries.

Strategically, the cooperation is expected to support major projects such as electricity interconnection and a planned railway link that Jordan is preparing to launch in the near future. It also includes restoring Jordan’s water rights, which, according to sources, had been curtailed by the former Syrian authorities for around four decades.

Security remains a shared concern for both countries. During the Syrian conflict, Jordan bore the burden of securing its 375-kilometer border alone after southern Syria descended into instability due to the activity of militias and armed factions of various affiliations.

Officials say that progress on economic partnerships depends on maintaining stability in southern Syria. Jordan continues to support security efforts there, including closely monitoring smuggling activity and responding to threats along the border.

At a joint news conference on Sunday, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani said defense and security coordination had made “significant progress” in addressing shared challenges, including drug and arms smuggling and attempts to undermine stability.

Safadi said the two sides had agreed on a joint roadmap aimed at reinforcing stability in Sweida and southern Syria.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II reaffirmed support for Syria’s efforts to preserve security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity during a meeting with the visiting Syrian ministerial delegation. Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II was also present.

The king stressed the need to continue developing economic and trade relations and strengthening security cooperation in a way that serves mutual interests. He described the council’s second session as an important step toward advancing ties and called for effective implementation of the agreements reached.

The council covers 20 key sectors and aims to elevate Jordanian-Syrian relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Discussions addressed cooperation opportunities in water, transport and energy, with the king highlighting the importance of regional integration and joint Arab projects to enhance cooperation.

Safadi said the meetings reflected the political will of King Abdullah and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to strengthen bilateral relations and build an integrated strategic partnership.

He described the gathering as “the largest Jordanian-Syrian meeting in history,” noting that more than 30 ministers took part. He said agreements and memorandums had been signed and cooperation discussed across more than 21 sectors.

Safadi reiterated Jordan’s support for Syria’s reconstruction and its sovereignty over all its territory, describing the current moment as “historic” for Syria. He said Jordan would stand by Syria throughout the rebuilding process.

He also condemned what he described as Israeli actions undermining Syria’s security and called for continued joint efforts to confront shared challenges and threats.

For his part, Shaibani described Jordan as a “strategic partner” for his country. He said reconstruction in Syria would require between $250 billion and $400 billion, stressing the need for cooperation with Jordan and regional countries to address those needs.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Syria Hopes for Terrorism Delisting to Spur Economic Recovery

01 June 2026, Syria, Deir Ezzor: A view of the war-damaged buildings in Deir Ezzor. (dpa)
01 June 2026, Syria, Deir Ezzor: A view of the war-damaged buildings in Deir Ezzor. (dpa)
TT
TT

Syria Hopes for Terrorism Delisting to Spur Economic Recovery

01 June 2026, Syria, Deir Ezzor: A view of the war-damaged buildings in Deir Ezzor. (dpa)
01 June 2026, Syria, Deir Ezzor: A view of the war-damaged buildings in Deir Ezzor. (dpa)

The Syrian government is betting that removal from Washington’s list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation in place since 1979, will clear the biggest political and legal hurdle to its economic recovery.

Alongside remaining sanctions, the designation has blocked any tangible gains from what was billed as a near-comprehensive lifting of international sanctions about a year ago.

Sources in Damascus said the US hesitation was tied to Israel’s opposition to lifting sanctions. Other sources pointed to a mix of regional, international and domestic factors.

In a recent phone call with US President Donald Trump, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa asked for the remaining sanctions to be lifted, saying the move was essential to revive Syria’s economy, improve living conditions and attract investment.

Syria remains caught in a complex sanctions web despite limited easing in recent months. Those measures covered Sharaa himself, the interior minister, the central bank, Syrian Airlines, the ports of Latakia and Tartus, and the Syrian Petroleum Company.

Researcher and economic expert Ziad Arbash told Asharq Al-Awsat that the sanctions still in place include the Caesar Act, which has only been suspended repeatedly and temporarily for 180 days at a time, not permanently repealed, leaving investors facing uncertainty.

They also include the state sponsor of terrorism designation, as well as broad secondary sanctions, including hundreds of measures still imposed by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom on individuals and entities.

Other restrictions remain on technology exports, above all strict US curbs on dual-use civilian and military technologies, along with personal sanctions on fugitive former president Bashar al-Assad and his inner circle.

Arbash said removing Syria from the state sponsors of terrorism list would unlock direct US investment, which had been fully banned, help reconnect Syrian banks to the global financial system, ease bank transfers and bolster international confidence.

Washington says sanctions will continue to target people it accuses of human rights abuses, Captagon traffickers and other actors it sees as destabilizing the region.

That position comes as US policy in the Middle East rests on the view that a US-centric balance of power works best when allies are encouraged to become more self-reliant and to share burdens through their interdependence and integration with one another.

This is according to Tom Barrack’s first comments after taking up his new duties as special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq.

But Trump’s policy may be colliding with the realities of a Syria emerging from war.

Abbas Sharifa, a researcher in international relations, said keeping Syria on the state sponsors of terrorism list raises “fundamental problems” that clash with the US view of Syria as a partner in the fight against terrorism.

He said the United States arranged its withdrawal from Syria on the basis that “the Syrian state has become capable of confronting the threat of terrorism.”

Reality also undermines the designation, he said, because “Syria today plays an important role in pursuing ISIS, has no relationship with Iranian militias and provides no support to any groups Washington considers terrorist organizations.”

Sharifa said the delay in lifting the remaining sanctions was likely tied to political positions held by some pro-Israel members of Congress.

Trump’s Syria policy, he said, has long run counter to Israel’s view, but “there appears to be Israeli pressure in some decision-making circles to obstruct this measure and link it to the signing of the security agreement with Israel, which has faltered because of Israeli intransigence.”

He ruled out Syria’s commercial and military ties with Russia as an obstacle, saying that “the US administration itself granted exemptions for the export of Russian oil.”

Across Syria, frustration has replaced the optimism that followed the partial lifting of sanctions. A year on, the economy remains far from real recovery, and the impact on daily life has been very limited, Arbash said.

He said the reasons are complex. Remaining sanctions still prevent Western banks and companies from operating freely in the Syrian market.

The United States and European countries will not move toward a full lifting of sanctions without the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 2254, an improved human rights record and guarantees for the safe return of refugees.

Full repeal of the Caesar Act also requires approval from the US Congress, a lengthy process with political hurdles.

“Even if sanctions were lifted completely today, the positive effects, such as investment inflows, would need months or years to appear on the ground,” Arbash said.

He also pointed to international concern that aid or investment “could fund corruption unless there are transparent mechanisms to ensure it reaches the Syrian people.”

Internal divisions are another obstacle. Some areas remain outside central government control, making it harder to apply unified economic decisions. Added to all these factors is Israeli opposition to lifting sanctions.

Arab World

Iraq’s Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Says It Will Start Handing Its Weapons to the State

Members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces parade of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq, participate in a Quds Day march in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 1, 2016. (AP)
Members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces parade of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq, participate in a Quds Day march in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 1, 2016. (AP)
TT
TT

Iraq’s Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Says It Will Start Handing Its Weapons to the State

Members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces parade of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq, participate in a Quds Day march in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 1, 2016. (AP)
Members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces parade of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq, participate in a Quds Day march in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 1, 2016. (AP)

One of Iraq’s most powerful Iran-backed armed groups said Tuesday it would begin putting its weapons under government control, a major step in the new government’s effort to bring armed factions that have long operated on their own under state command.

Asaib Ahl al-Haq said it had formed a committee to oversee the move, including an inventory of its fighters, weapons and equipment, and to coordinate with the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The group cast the decision as a response to calls by Iraq’s top Shiite religious authority and the Iran-aligned Coordination Framework, the largest bloc in parliament that dominates Iraqi politics.

The war in the Middle East has exposed the fragility of Iraq’s state institutions and their limited ability to restrain these groups. A parallel confrontation between Washington and the factions has deepened the crisis, with factions acting as an extension of Iran’s regional campaign and escalating attacks on US assets in Iraq before a tenuous ceasefire deal was reached in April.

The first significant move came a week ago, when the influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said his Saraya al-Salam faction would split from his political movement and integrate into state institutions.

Under pressure from Washington, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has been working to assert state authority over weapons.

Zaidi, a 40-year-old banker sworn in last month has made a state monopoly on arms a centerpiece of his program. The Trump administration has warned against any government influenced by Iran-linked factions and tied defense cooperation and funding to efforts to curb them.

Many Iran-backed factions are funded through the Iraqi state budget and embedded within the security apparatus, although not under the government's control. This has drawn criticism from the United States and other countries that have borne the brunt of their attacks and say Baghdad has failed to take a tougher stance.

Several armed factions aligned with Iraq’s Coordination Framework have taken a different stance on efforts to bring weapons under state control. Two important groups, Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, have rejected disarmament, tying the issue to Iraq’s sovereignty and the presence of foreign troops.

Kataib Hezbollah welcomed moves by other factions to place weapons under state authority but said its own armed activity will continue as part of what it describes as “resistance work." In a recent statement attributed to its Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, the group said it would offer coordination with the Popular Mobilization Forces rather than surrendering arms.

The PMF, a state-backed umbrella of armed groups, was formed in 2014 to fight the ISIS group. Many of its groups still keep their own command and ties to Iran.

Arab World

Lebanon’s Berri to Guarantee Hezbollah Respect for ‘Global’ Truce with Israel, Says Adviser

Rescue workers use excavators, as they search for victims under the rubble of a building that was hit Monday in an Israeli airstrike in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (AP)
Rescue workers use excavators, as they search for victims under the rubble of a building that was hit Monday in an Israeli airstrike in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (AP)
TT
TT

Lebanon’s Berri to Guarantee Hezbollah Respect for ‘Global’ Truce with Israel, Says Adviser

Rescue workers use excavators, as they search for victims under the rubble of a building that was hit Monday in an Israeli airstrike in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (AP)
Rescue workers use excavators, as they search for victims under the rubble of a building that was hit Monday in an Israeli airstrike in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (AP)

Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a key Hezbollah ally, will guarantee the Iran-backed group's adherence to a "global ceasefire" with Israel, his adviser told AFP on Tuesday.

Berri, who heads the Hezbollah-allied Amal party, has long acted as an intermediary between the group and the United States, which considers Hezbollah a "terrorist" organization.

US President Donald Trump said late Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to call off a military raid on Beirut while Hezbollah agreed "all shooting will stop".

Despite the announcement Israeli drone strikes on southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed eight people, including a father and his son and daughter.

Adviser Ali Hamdan told AFP that "speaker Berri's main demand is a global ceasefire. If a global ceasefire deal is reached, he will guarantee Hezbollah's respect for it."

Hamdan said a "global ceasefire means a halt to Israeli strikes by air, land or sea, and that it will not carry out detonations or demolitions" in the south, where Israel is accused of razing entire villages.

Trump had said that "through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop -- That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel."

Netanyahu said late Monday that he had told Trump "that if Hezbollah does not cease attacking our towns and our citizens, Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut".

Hezbollah has not released a statement on the announcement.

Lebanon's embassy in the United States said on Monday that Hezbollah had accepted a US proposal on a "mutual cessation of attacks".

"Under the proposed arrangement, Israeli strikes on Dahieh would cease in exchange for Hezbollah refraining from launching attacks against Israel, with the ceasefire framework to be expanded to encompass all Lebanese territory," the embassy statement released by the Lebanese presidency added, referring to Beirut's southern suburbs.

Iran has insisted that a ceasefire in Lebanon remains a key condition for any deal with the United States to end the Middle East war.

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is also the country's chief negotiator, said on Monday night that he and Berri had spoken by phone.

Ghalibaf told his Lebanese counterpart that "if the Israeli aggression on Lebanon continues, we will not just stop the negotiation process, but we will be in a direct confrontation with the enemy", he said on X, referring to Israel.

Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on Monday that Tehran was no longer engaging in talks with Washington because of Israel's offensive on Lebanon, although there was no official confirmation of this.