From Assad to Al-Sharaa: Will Syria change its stance on Western Sahara?

The Front for National Salvation, a key opposition group to the former Bashar al-Assad regime, has called on Syria’s interim government to officially recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the leader of the Front, Fahad Al Masri, urged interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa to correct what he described as the "grave mistakes" of the previous regime regarding Syrian-Moroccan relations. 

He emphasized Morocco’s steadfast support for Syria’s national unity and territorial integrity, arguing that the new leadership in Damascus should reciprocate by endorsing Morocco’s claims over Western Sahara.

Under Bashar al-Assad, Syria maintained strong diplomatic and military ties with Algeria, a key supporter of the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara. 

The Assad regime was accused of facilitating military training for Polisario fighters, reportedly conducted by Hezbollah militias in Syria.

The Front for National Salvation’s statement signals a potential shift in Syrian foreign policy under the new leadership, distancing itself from Algeria and its backing of the Polisario Front. 

Should the interim government heed this call, it would mark a significant geopolitical realignment in North Africa and the Middle East, strengthening ties between Syria and Morocco while potentially weakening Algeria’s regional influence.