A delegation from the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) arrived today, Wednesday, in Damascus, in the first visit since the movement severed its relationship with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad more than 10 years ago, following the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, which turned into an armed conflict.
The German news agency quoted a Palestinian source as saying that the Hamas delegation began a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in which leaders from other Palestinian factions, such as Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front-General Command, will participate.
The source added that the leaders of the Palestinian factions will hold a press conference after the meeting with al-Assad.
And the French news agency quoted Hamas leader Khaled Abdel Majid as saying that a delegation from the movement arrived in Damascus for a two-day visit, while it was reported that the movement's leader, Khalil al-Hayya, headed the delegation.
In light of developments
Hamas' visit to Damascus comes after its leadership announced last month its desire to resume relations with Damascus, in light of "the accelerating regional and international developments that surround our cause and our nation."
A Hamas leader said that it is heading to open an office in Damascus, but that it is "too early" to talk about returning the movement's headquarters to Damascus, as it was the case previously.
It is noteworthy that Hamas was an ally of Damascus before relations gradually became tense between the two parties in 2011, following the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, which turned into an armed conflict.
In February 2012, the movement announced the departure of its leaders from Damascus, closed all its offices, and suspended its activities there.
For years, Syrian officials considered Hamas's departure a "fatal blow" to the relationship with Syria, and some described it as a "betrayal."
Earlier, an official in the movement said that meetings with Syrian officials and the movement were mediated by the Lebanese Hezbollah and Iran.