Diplomatic Shifts in the Middle East: Russia Evacuates Personnel from Syria

Russia evacuated North Korean diplomats from Syria after the fall of the Assad. According to the Russian foreign ministry the diplomats came out from Syria by a special flight. The flight is organised by the Russian Aerospace Forces. The flight by Russia also carried diplomats from Belarus and Abkhazia, along with staff from Russia’s missions in Damascus.The exact number of North Korean diplomats evacuated is unclear. North Korea has not had an ambassador in Syria since 2022, when its last ambassador, Mun Jong Nam, passed away.The evacuation follows the fall of Damascus on December 8, when the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control, ending the Assad family’s 50-year rule. Russia has since granted asylum to former President Bashar Assad.North Korea and Syria have been working closly for military projects including chemical weapons. Experts think North Korea might now be more careful with the new rebel government.

By evacuating its diplomats, North Korea seems to be prioritizing their safety and rethinking its ties with Syria under the new leadership. Recently, North Korean state media voiced support for Assad, labeling the rebels as “terrorists” and accusing them of trying to discredit Syria’s legitimate government.

This move comes as North Korea has been reducing its global diplomatic presence by shutting down embassies, particularly in Africa. Meanwhile, it has focused on strengthening ties with Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war.

Syria still operates an embassy in Pyongyang, but its future is uncertain after the regime change in Damascus. The last report about the embassy’s activities came from North Korean media in July.

As Syria’s situation changes, North Korea’s next steps in the Middle East remain uncertain.

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