After being expelled from the Arab League over a decade ago for its brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests, Syria has now been readmitted to the influential organization.

This development signifies a thaw in relations between Damascus and other Arab governments and paves the way for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s potential attendance at an upcoming summit in Saudi Arabia.

While the move has drawn criticism from the United States and the United Kingdom, who oppose engaging with the Assad regime, they support the Arab League’s long-term objective of finding a resolution to the Syrian crisis. The US State Department expressed the view that Syria did not deserve reinstatement, while the UK’s Minister of State Foreign Commonwealth & Development Affairs condemned the Assad regime’s continued human rights abuses.

Syria’s foreign ministry welcomed the League’s decision, calling for increased Arab cooperation and partnership. Thirteen foreign ministers from Arab League member states attended the meeting in Cairo where Syria’s readmission was approved. They emphasized the need to end the civil war, address the refugee crisis, and tackle drug smuggling.

To help Syria achieve these goals, a committee involving Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq will be established. The Arab League’s secretary general described the decision as the beginning of a gradual process to resolve the Syrian crisis. However, it is important to note that individual Arab countries will determine whether to restore bilateral relations with Syria.

The Syrian civil war has resulted in immense human suffering, with over 300,000 civilians killed and more than 100,000 detained or disappeared. Approximately half of the country’s pre-war population has been displaced, either within Syria or as refugees abroad. The decision to readmit Syria to the Arab League has drawn strong reactions from displaced Syrians in rebel-held areas, expressing disappointment and a sense of betrayal.

President Assad has gradually regained control over the country since 2015, aided by Russia’s support, leading neighboring Arab nations to consider a future with his regime in power. The process of restoring ties with Syria gained momentum following a devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Visits by foreign ministers from Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as well as the restoration of full diplomatic relations with Tunisia, preceded Syria’s readmission. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s recent visit to Mr. Assad also exerted pressure on Arab nations to reintegrate Syria into the regional fold. However, Western countries, including the US and the UK, maintain their stance of not restoring relations with President Assad’s government.