Türkiye’s initiative restores Syria’s membership in OIC after 13-year suspension

Syria's membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), suspended for 13 years, has been reinstated following an initiative led by Türkiye.

Diplomatic sources revealed that Türkiye's efforts during the OIC Extraordinary Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Jeddah paved the way for Damascus' return to the organization.

Photo shows diplomats attending an Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of The Organization of Islamic Cooperation

Diplomats attend an Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on March 7, 2025. (AFP Photo)

The issue of reinstating Syria's OIC membership was added to the agenda at the meeting, which was attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The draft resolution was adopted, reviving Syria's membership after nearly 13 years.

Following the resolution's adoption, Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Hassan Shaibani was invited to the meeting and took his seat at the table representing Syria.

Photo shows Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends an Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on March 7, 2025. (AFP Photo)

Syria's OIC membership was initially suspended on June 24, 2012, following a recommendation by the OIC's ministerial-level Extraordinary Executive Committee, which convened in Jeddah to address the escalating violence under Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

The suspension was finalized at the 4th Extraordinary OIC Summit held in Mecca on August 14-15, 2012.

March 08, 2025 01:57 AM GMT+03:00