US Says It Will Not Normalize Relations with Syria

Many of Washington’s Arab allies have re-established ties with Damascus, but the US will not follow suit, according to a statement from the State Department.

In a phone call with Jordan's foreign minister Ayman Safadi, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed a recent meeting between Syria and its Arab neighbors.

"Secretary Blinken made clear that the United States will not normalize relations with (Syria) and does not support others normalizing until there is authentic, UN-facilitated political progress in line with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2254," the State Department said, according to Al Jazeera.

The Arab League suspended Syria’s membership in 2011, when the Arab country found itself in the grip of overwhelming foreign-backed militancy and terrorism.

Back then, the body cited, what it called, Syria's alleged crackdown on opposition protests as the reason behind its decision. Syria has denounced the move as lacking in legal foundation and "a violation of the organization’s charter."

With support from Iran and Russia, the Syrian government has regained control of much of the country and some Arab countries have begun to soften their stance towards Damascus. But the US has maintained its opposition to President Bashar al-Assad without an inclusive political settlement to the conflict.