Morocco's successive diplomatic wins crowned with renewed ties with Syria

In a significant diplomatic shift, Syria has officially closed the office of the Polisario Front in Damascus, aligning itself with growing international recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Sahara.

The announcement, made Tuesday, comes amid a broader wave of support for Morocco’s territorial claims, with several countries recently opening consulates in the cities of Laayoune and Dakhla. Experts say the move signals a deepening of global alliances in favor of Morocco’s position.

Ahmed Nour Eddine, an international relations expert, said Syria’s decision represents a gesture of reciprocity toward Morocco, which had expressed early support for the Syrian people during the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. Morocco closed its embassy in Damascus and expelled the Syrian regime’s ambassador in 2012.

“Morocco stood with the Syrian people against a regime that used chemical weapons and was responsible for the deaths of over half a million civilians,” Nour Eddine told Hespress. “Syria is now returning that gesture by cutting ties with the separatist Polisario movement.”

Nour Eddine also emphasized that the Polisario’s ties with Assad’s government underscore the “illegitimate and authoritarian nature” of the separatist project, pointing out that the support of repressive regimes only weakens its credibility.

The closure of the Polisario office in Syria follows a series of international setbacks for the group. Last week, Kenya reaffirmed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan and shuttered the Polisario’s representation in Nairobi. France expanded its diplomatic presence in Laayoune by opening a visa office, and El Salvador began discussions with Morocco about opening a consulate in Laayoune or Dakhla.

“These actions reflect increasing isolation of Algeria, the main backer of the Polisario, which is now facing diplomatic rifts with countries including France, the UAE, Mali, Niger, and Libya,” said Nour Eddine. He added that Algeria’s long-standing strategy of supporting separatism is unraveling, despite years of heavy investment.

Abdel Fattah El Fatihi, another expert in international relations, said the developments represent growing global momentum behind Morocco’s autonomy initiative. “From Latin America to East Africa, and now in the Arab world, states are recognizing that Morocco’s proposal is the only viable solution,” he said.

El Fatihi noted that Syria’s decision strengthens the Arab consensus on Morocco’s territorial integrity, leaving Algeria increasingly isolated in its support of the Polisario.

“These diplomatic gains come as the UN Secretary-General’s envoy prepares for a critical round of negotiations on the Western Sahara issue,” he added. “Algeria’s intransigence is backfiring, deepening its diplomatic crises and limiting its influence on the international stage.”