Syrian factions have given mixed reactions to an Arab League decision to lift the suspension on Syria’s membership after more than a decade of isolation, underscoring the deep rifts cut into the country by years of bloodshed.
The decision on Sunday by foreign ministers of Arab League countries consolidates a regional push to normalise ties with President Bashar Al Assad, whose country was suspended from the body in 2011 following his crackdown against the opposition.
No statement has been issued after the Arab League decision to explain in detail the conditions for this return or the road map on which it was based.
Rather, the League merely indicated that the decision included a commitment to continue dialogue with Arab governments to gradually reach a political solution to the conflict.
However, experts pointed out important points discussed recently, including the commitment to preserving Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and implementing the commitments previously reached.
As a result, the Iranian-affiliated militias began to lower the Iranian flag and banners of some groups, namely ‘Fatemiyoun’ and ‘Zainabiyoun’, from many of their sites inside the Syrian territory, as directly requested by the authorities in Damascus, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Also, the Iranian flag and banners were lowered from sites in the city of Deir ez-Zor and the cities of Al Mayadeen and Al Bukamal in the eastern countryside.