The UK has announced the resumption of diplomatic relations with Syria, which were cut off 14 years ago, following a visit by Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Damascus on 5 July 2025. It was the first visit by a British minister to the country since the civil war in 2011, which led to a breakdown in ties between London and the regime of Bashar al-Assad. As stated in an official statement by the UK Foreign Office, published on the government website, the decision was made eight months after the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024. The statement emphasised that the UK intends to support the new Syrian government in its efforts to rebuild the economy, ensure an inclusive political transition and achieve justice for the victims of the previous regime. London is providing £94,5 million for humanitarian aid, long-term recovery through education and job creation, as well as support for countries in the region hosting Syrian refugees. An additional £2m has been sent to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to help destroy the remaining chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria.
Lammy’s visit to Damascus was a landmark event symbolising a change in the UK’s approach to the Syrian issue. The minister stressed the importance of an inclusive political process and expressed London’s readiness to support Syria in building a stable and secure future. “After more than a decade of conflict, the Syrian people have new hope. The UK is re-establishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government in delivering on its commitment to building a stable, safer and more prosperous future for all Syrians,” Lammy said. He also noted that the UK would work to prevent the growth of extremism and illegal migration, as well as to implement its “Plan for Change” aimed at strengthening security and stability in the region.
London’s decision follows similar moves by other Western countries. In December 2024, after the fall of the Assad regime, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting sanctions imposed on Syria in 2004, while maintaining restrictions on former President Assad and his entourage. France and Italy have also begun re-establishing contacts with the new government in Damascus, and the EU is discussing the possibility of lifting some sanctions to support economic recovery. According to Reuters, Gulf countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are actively investing in the restoration of Syria’s infrastructure, which creates additional opportunities for international cooperation. However, as analysts note, restoring diplomatic ties with Syria remains a complex process due to the need to balance support for the new government with the interests of various regional players, including Turkey and Iran.
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, has killed hundreds of thousands of people and forced more than 5,6 million Syrians to flee the country, according to the United Nations. By 2025, about 1,5 million people were internally displaced by drought and conflict. The fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 opened a new chapter in the country’s history, but recovery remains a daunting task. The World Bank estimates that Syria will need more than $250 billion to rebuild its damaged infrastructure, power grid, and social institutions.