The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent congratulatory messages to His Excellency President Bashar al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, on the occasion of the anniversary of his country’s Evacuation Day, which falls on the seventeenth of April every year.
In its messages, the Saudi leadership expressed its sincerest congratulations and best wishes for good health and happiness to His Excellency, and for continued progress and prosperity to the government and people of the brotherly Syrian Arab Republic. This message of congratulations is in line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's long-standing diplomatic protocol of participating in the national celebrations of brotherly and friendly nations, reflecting the deep historical and social ties that bind the Saudi and Syrian peoples.
Historical significance of Syrian Evacuation Day
Evacuation Day holds a prominent place in Syrian and Arab memory. This historic day, April 17, 1946, marks the departure of the last French soldier from Syrian soil, thus declaring Syria's complete independence and the end of the long French Mandate. This day is a symbol of national sovereignty and the culmination of the Syrian people's struggle for freedom and independence. It is an occasion for generations to remember the sacrifices of their fathers and grandfathers for the sake of the nation's dignity and honor.
A renewed diplomatic context and growing relations
This congratulation is of particular importance in light of the positive developments in Saudi-Syrian relations recently, which culminated in the resumption of full diplomatic relations and Syria's return to its seat in the League of Arab States during the Arab Summit hosted by Jeddah in May 2023. These steps reflect the keenness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, to strengthen joint Arab action, unify ranks, and support the stability of Syria and its territorial integrity.
These diplomatic messages signal a new phase of bilateral cooperation, as the Kingdom, through its balanced foreign policy, seeks to support development and stability efforts in the region, emphasizing that Syria's security and prosperity are integral to Arab national security. Political and public circles anticipate that this positive atmosphere will contribute to strengthening economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, serving the interests of both brotherly peoples and fulfilling their aspirations for a brighter and more stable future amidst current regional and international challenges.
