Algeria reaffirms support for Syria in fight against rebels

Algeria has expressed solidarity with Syria in the face of escalating “terrorist threats”, according to a statement released by the Algerian Foreign Ministry yesterday.

During a phone call with his Syrian counterpart Bassam Sabbagh, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf reaffirmed “Algeria’s steadfast position—shared by both the government and the people—alongside its unwavering solidarity with the Syrian Arab Republic, a fraternal nation, in the face of terrorist threats that endanger its sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, security, and stability.”

The conversation came as rebel forces in Syria launched a shock offensive in the second largest city Aleppo, deepening the ongoing 13-year conflict. Attaf expressed Algiers’ continued support for Damascus, emphasising solidarity with the state and its people amid the deteriorating security situation. The call allowed the foreign minister to learn about the latest developments in northern Syria, the Foreign Ministry said.

Sabbagh, for his part, thanked Algeria for backing Syria’s request for an emergency UN Security Council meeting and for including recent Syrian developments at the upcoming Arab League emergency meeting, set for Sunday.

Algeria is notable for being one of the few Arab states that stood by Syria even when it was expelled from the Arab League in 2011. Algeria consistently campaigned for Syria’s reintegration and played an active role in advocating for its eventual return to the Arab League.

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