Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani addressed the 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad to demand action regarding the Golan Heights. During his remarks, Asaad al-Shibani stated the territory is "an integral part of Syria, and any Israeli decision to annex it is merely ink on paper." This diplomatic push follows the formal restoration of Syria's OIC membership on 7 March 2025. The session in Baghdad serves as a platform for Damascus to reassert its claims over the region within the framework of the organization. Officials gathered to discuss the status of the Golan Heights as part of the broader agenda for the 52nd Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.
Demands for Israeli Withdrawal
Colombia opened an embassy in Jerusalem on 16 October 2026. This diplomatic move occurred three days before the 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers convened in Baghdad. The establishment of the mission in Jerusalem remains a point of contention among regional representatives gathered at the conference. Syrian officials and other member states are weighing the implications of this action as they review the status of disputed territories. Discussions at the meeting continue to focus on the alignment of member nations regarding international recognition of Jerusalem. The opening of the embassy serves as a focal point for delegates evaluating diplomatic shifts since the restoration of Syria's OIC membership. Participants at the summit maintain their scrutiny of these recent international developments.
Progress in Refugee Returns
Official data indicates that 3.8 million displaced Syrians have returned to their places of origin since 8 December 2024. This figure includes more than 1.8 million refugees who have returned from neighbouring countries and elsewhere during the same period. Additionally, over two million internally displaced people have returned to their home communities since 8 December 2024. These returns represent a significant shift in the demographic status of the nation following the internal conflict. Regional representatives at the 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers are reviewing these statistics as part of the ongoing assessment of stability within Syria. These population movements remain a central focus for member states evaluating the current humanitarian and security landscape in the region.
Closing Internal Displacement Camps
The Syrian government’s Syria Without Camps initiative has closed more than 200 camps for internally displaced people. To support those still residing in such facilities, the state issued Decree No. 59 of 2026. This legal act established a dedicated committee tasked with providing assistance to 141,000 displaced families currently living in camps. Syrian authorities have stated that the government aims to close all remaining camps by September 2027. These developments regarding the management of displaced populations are part of the broader review of internal stability and domestic recovery efforts currently under discussion by regional representatives at the 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad.