Why Has Egypt Not Officially Communicated with “New Syria”?
Egypt has not officially engaged with the interim government or the leading Islamic factions that overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime, primarily due to security concerns. These concerns stem from the presence of Egyptians wanted for terrorism within these Syrian factions.
To date, the Syrian embassy in Cairo has not hoisted the new national flag of Syria. Since Assad’s fall on December 8, official Egyptian statements regarding Syria have emphasized the need to maintain the country’s unity and have stressed the importance of initiating a political process involving all segments of Syrian society.
Analysts highlight Egypt’s hesitation in sending an official delegation to Syria, pointing to “past domestic and international experiences.” They draw parallels with Egypt’s interactions with Turkey, which has harbored individuals wanted by Egypt.
Where Are Relations Headed?
Experts agree on the significance of the relationship between Syria and Egypt and the necessity for communication with the new Syrian administration. However, they also acknowledge “Cairo’s concerns,” which the interim government in Damascus is attempting to address through successive gestures.
Rekha Ahmed Hassan, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Egypt, stated that the Egyptian government is “seriously evaluating the situation in Syria.” He noted that some Egyptians are still involved with these organizations, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, with some being wanted or convicted in Egypt.
Hassan also mentioned that the new Syrian administration showed a positive initiative by asking Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi to delete his post before his departure to Lebanon, where he was detained.
Media reports have indicated that al-Qaradawi’s son was detained in Lebanon following the publication of a video. No immediate official Lebanese statements were issued regarding this matter.
In a video recorded in Damascus and now removed from social media, al-Qaradawi warned Syrians about “malevolent challenges planned by the world,” specifically pointing to the regimes of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and others.
The Syrian Ministry of Information under the new administration clarified on Saturday that statements by visitors to the country do not necessarily reflect Damascus’s official stance. It emphasized that only official entities and accredited sources represent the Syrian government’s views. This clarification came in response to al-Qaradawi’s video.
Anger After Al-Qaradawi’s Son’s Video in Damascus… New Syrian Administration Issues Statement
The Syrian Ministry of Information responded to widespread criticism following a video by al-Qaradawi’s son, stating that visitor statements do not represent official Syrian positions. Subsequently, Assad al-Shaabani, the Foreign Minister of the interim Syrian government, tweeted about his country’s desire to build significant and strategic relations with Egypt, respecting both nations’ sovereignty and non-interference in their affairs.
Former ambassador Hassan noted to Al-Hurra, “We will see how serious they are in moving away
from their previous ideologies, especially since Egypt has experience with the Islamic Group in
the 1990s after their ideological reviews and rejection of terrorist acts.”
Samir Abdullah, Director of Policy Analysis at the Hermon Center for Contemporary Studies,
stated that Egypt has maintained a relatively neutral stance towards Assad’s regime in recent
years, not fully supporting the regime. He highlighted Egypt’s consistent advocacy for
implementing UN Resolution 2254, providing common ground for developing bilateral relations,
and noted that Syria needs time to organize its internal affairs and rebuild its national
institutions, which requires support from all sisterly and friendly states.
Security Concerns
Al-Qaradawi’s was not the first controversial statement; Mahmoud Fathi, convicted for the 2015
assassination of Egypt’s former Attorney General Hisham Barakat, appeared alongside Hayat
Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. This photo surfaced ten days after Assad’s
regime fell, with Yasin Aktay, an advisor to Turkey’s Justice and Development Party, also present.
Controversial Statements by Syrian Women’s Affairs Head Spark Outrage
