Difficult steps lie ahead.

Syria's first step towards reintegrating into the Arab world officially took place after President Bashar al-Assad accepted an invitation to attend the summit of the Arab League (AL) Council, which is being held today, May 19th.

President Bashar al-Assad has accepted an invitation to attend the summit of the Arab League (AL) Council, scheduled for May 19th. (Source: ITN)

However, how this significant move will impact the future of the 13-year-long civil war in Syria remains a question. To date, Syria remains a chaotic mess.

Besides the defeated Islamic State (IS), the confrontation between the al-Assad regime, backed by Russia and Iran, and the opposition, supported by the West and some Arab countries, continues. This is in addition to the Kurdish group, aided by the US, attempting to establish its own autonomous region in northern Syria.

Meanwhile, the economy is very bleak. Syria is not lacking in potential, especially oil. At its peak in 1996, the country extracted 582,000 barrels of oil per day, generating $4 billion in revenue, accounting for one-third of the national budget. However, by 2015, this figure had fallen to 27,000 barrels per day, and then to 24,000 barrels per day in 2018.

Syria was once a prosperous agricultural country, producing up to 4 million tons of wheat annually, enough not only to meet domestic needs but also to export to many countries, especially the European Union (EU). However, the comprehensive embargo imposed by the US and EU is causing Syria to face a grain shortage, forcing the Damascus government to import this essential commodity. Half of Syria's population has been displaced.

To date, the US and the EU have remained firm on Syria's stance. They strongly oppose Syria's rejoining the Arab League, while simultaneously asserting that they will not normalize relations with President al-Assad's regime or lift sanctions. Within the Arab world, Qatar and Kuwait have also not endorsed the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Damascus.

Syria faces many difficult challenges.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/syria-tro-ve-the-gioi-arab-nhung-buoc-di-kho-khan-phia-truoc-227564.html