Syria–United Kingdom relations explained

Since the Syrian civil war, the United Kingdom has supported the Syrian opposition. The United Kingdom closed its embassy in Syria in 2011, and the Embassy of Syria, London was closed the following year.^[1]

History

1950s

On 6 November 1956, during the Suez Crisis, a Royal Air Force Canberra PR.7 was sent to overfly Syria on a photo reconnaissance mission, and was shot down by a Syrian Air Force Gloster Meteor. As of 2022, this was the last RAF aircraft shot down in an enemy air-to-air engagement.^{[2] [3]}

21st century

In 2001, positive relations were developed between Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Syrian government, as part of the War on Terror.^[4]

In 2002, President Bashar al-Assad made an official visit to the United Kingdom, the first Syrian leader to do so.^[5] He and his wife Asma met with Queen Elizabeth II.^[6]

In 2003, the British Syrian Society was established in London by Fawaz Akhras, father-in-law of Bashar al-Assad.^[7]

Since the 2011 civil war, relations have deteriorated, and the UK was one of the first countries to recognise the opposition as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people.^[8]

The Embassy of Syria in London closed in 2013.

In 2018, the UK took part in the missile strikes against Syria alongside the United States and France.^[9]

In March 2021, the British Government placed sanctions on key allies of Assad.^[10]

See also

• List of Ambassadors from the United Kingdom to Syria
• Syrians in the United Kingdom
• William Hague § Syria
• Operation Shader

Notes and References

1. News: Syrian diplomats expelled from countries around the world. Black. Ian. McGreal. Chris. The Guardian. 29 May 2012. 20 April 2022.
2. Web site: Accident English Electric Canberra PR.7 WH799, 06 Nov 1956 . Aviation Safety Network . 27 March 2020.
3. Web site: The shooting down of Whisky Hotel 799 . Eason . Gary . aerialcombat.co.uk . 2 August 2016 . 2 April 2021.
4. http://www.rte.ie/news/2001/1030/britishreax.html Blair visits Syria
5. Web site: Lauren Said-Moorhouse. From Assad to Xi, the Queen has met her fair share of controversial leaders. 2021-03-09. CNN. 2 June 2019.
6. Web site: Syrian president meets the Queen. 2021-03-09. The Telegraph. en-GB.
7. News: Booth. Robert. 2012-03-15. Assad's father-in-law: the man at the heart of UK-Syrian relations. en-GB. The Guardian. 2021-03-09. 0261-3077.
8. Web site: MacFarquhar. Neil. Mourtada. Hania. 19 November 2012. Britain Recognizes Syria Opposition Coalition. 16 February 2019. The New York Times.
9. Web site: U.S. says air strikes cripple Syria chemical weapons program. 2021-03-09. www.yahoo.com. en-US.
10. Web site: 2021-03-15. UK imposes sanctions on key Assad allies after 'decade of brutality'. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-civil-war-uk-sanctions-b1817254.html . 2022-05-26 . subscription . live. 2021-04-22. The Independent. en.