The Hamas Movement expressed its “appreciation for the leadership and people of the Syrian Arab Republic, and for its role in standing by the Palestinian people and their just cause,” announcing the official resumption of relations with Damascus after nearly 11 years of rupture.
Hamas's stance seemed like an apologetic message to the Syrian regime after broken relations since the Syrian war erupted.
On Thursday, the movement issued a statement declaring its endeavor to “build and develop solid relations with the Syrian Arab Republic,” in light of “the rapid regional and international developments that surround our cause and our nation.”
The statement followed a visit by the movement’s leader, Ismail Haniyeh, to Moscow, where he held a series of meetings with Russian officials.
A source close to Hamas said the visit would have “a significant impact on the relationship with Russia, and on returning to Syria and building bridges with its other allies in the region.”
The revival of relations between Hamas and Syria was part of discussions led for years with Hamas by Tehran and the Lebanese Hezbollah, in an attempt to restore Iran’s network of alliances in the Middle East.
Hamas was part of Iran’s axis before the start of the conflict in Syria in 2011. Back then, the movement’s support of the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, caused great anger among Iran and Hezbollah. Those saw Hamas’ stance as a “coup against the country that gave the movement a foothold and backed it for many years.”
As a result, Hamas left Damascus for Qatar, while Iran cut off its financial support to the movement.
Four years later, Tehran and Hamas were able to mend ties, through Hezbollah’s intervention. The relationship developed in 2019, when Haniyeh hinted that the road was open to restore relations with Syria.
Taher Al-Nono, Haniyeh’s media advisor, recently announced that the trip to Russia was a prelude to a visit to another country, which he did not name.
The Hamas statement on Thursday pointed to the importance of returning to the Iranian-Syrian axis, which the Palestinian Authority rejects to a large extent, and accuses it of fostering divisions.
