Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has postponed his visit to Syria amid a sustained media campaign labeling Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a terrorist organization. The move comes after Abdelatty’s recent phone call with the Syrian transitional government, raising questions about Egypt’s stance on Syria. Despite international re-engagement with HTS, Egypt maintains a hardline position against Islamist entities, influenced by its internal politics.
The scheduled visit of Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to Syria has been postponed amidst a hostile media campaign targeting the designated terrorist organization, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This postponement follows a significant media onslaught led by Egyptian state-controlled outlets, which have framed HTS under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa as a terrorist entity, thereby complicating any prospective engagement with the Syrian transitional government.
The media’s campaign against HTS has intensified over the past six weeks, coinciding with a recent communication between Abdelatty and Syria’s transitional government counterpart, Asaad Al-Shibani, signaling a potential softening of Egypt’s stance. However, the current postponement brings into question any substantial shift in policy towards Syria under President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s administration, which historically aligns against the Islamist factions representing the Syrian uprising.
Since the ousting of President Mohamed Morsi in 2013, the Sisi regime has maintained a staunch opposition to Islamist movements and has largely ignored the ongoing Syrian civil conflict. The postponement of Abdelatty’s visit illustrates the balancing act the Egyptian regime must navigate between international diplomatic realities and its domestic anti-Islamist rhetoric. Despite a global trend of re-engagement with HTS, Egypt continues to uphold its stringent opposition to any organizations designated as terrorist groups.
Former Deputy Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Ashaal characterized Abdelatty’s initial phone call as a significant but non-recognition of the Syrian transitional government, noting that this interaction reflects pragmatic engagement without altering Egypt’s fundamental position regarding the Syrian crisis.
The postponed visit of Egypt’s Foreign Minister highlights the complexities of Egypt’s relationships in the Middle East, particularly regarding the Syrian conflict. Over the past decade, Egypt’s foreign policy has been heavily influenced by internal political dynamics and regional power struggles. Since General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi assumed power, the Egyptian government has taken a hardline stance against Islamist groups, severely limiting its engagement with parties aligned with the rebel factions in Syria. Sisi’s avoidance stems from an apprehension about fostering any semblance of Islamist influence domestically, especially considering his regime’s tumultuous history with the Muslim Brotherhood. Additionally, the shifting perspectives among global powers towards HTS illustrate the evolving landscape post-Assad’s regime, which puts pressure on states like Egypt to recalibrate their positions in light of changing geopolitical realities.
In conclusion, the postponement of Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty’s visit to Syria amid an anti-HTS media campaign signifies the ongoing tension within Egypt’s foreign policy regarding the Syrian conflict. While initial communications seemed to suggest a potential softening of relations, the prevailing narrative within Egyptian media illustrates the regime’s commitment to its established position against any engagement with groups labeled as terrorists. The broader implications of this situation reflect Egypt’s struggle to balance international diplomatic relations with rigid domestic policies influenced by historical contexts and internal power dynamics.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
