Barran Press
Ten years after Houthi forces gained control of it, the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today, Friday, April 25, 2025, the resumption of operations at its embassy in Damascus, effective Sunday, April 27.
The decision to reopen the embassy followed directives from Yemeni Foreign Minister Sha'i Al-Zandani and his Syrian counterpart, Foreign Minister Asad Al-Shibani, according to a statement reported by Barran Press. Charge d'Affaires Mohamed Ezzi Ba'kar will oversee the embassy's operations.
The ministry underscored the reopening as a significant diplomatic achievement, particularly given that the embassy had been under the control of the Iran-backed Houthis since 2016, allegedly with support from the former Syrian regime. This move signifies the return of Yemen's recognized institutions to Damascus and represents a key step in the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Furthermore, the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the embassy's reopening symbolizes the re-establishment of Yemen's legitimate state presence and the overcoming of divisive agendas. The ministry expressed optimism that this development will strengthen bilateral ties and foster renewed cooperation between Yemen and Syria across various sectors.
The Iran-backed Houthis' seizure of the Damascus embassy building occurred after their 2014 takeover of Yemen's capital, Sana'a, and their subsequent coup against the internationally recognized Yemeni government. In 2015, the Houthis dispatched a diplomatic mission to Syria, including the embassy in Damascus, a move the Yemeni government immediately condemned as a breach of international norms.
The groundwork for the embassy's return was laid in October 2023, when the Yemeni government received official confirmation of Syria's agreement to return the premises to its legitimate government following the expulsion of the Houthi representative. This development aligned with Syria's broader efforts to normalize relations with Arab states.