The Hypocrisy of the Algerian Regime Exposed: Attaf’s Visit to Damascus, an Exercise in Diplomatic Cynicism
The recent visit of the Algerian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf, to Syria once again highlights the opportunism and inconsistency of Algerian diplomacy. After years of alliance with Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Algeria is now attempting to readjust its position in response to Syria’s evolving political landscape, striving to maintain its waning influence—even at the cost of its credibility.
From Unconditional Support to Opportunistic Maneuvering
For over a decade, Algeria has provided unwavering support to Bashar al-Assad’s regime, despite the accusations of crimes against humanity against it. This support extended beyond diplomacy to military involvement, with the Polisario Front sending fighters to reinforce the Syrian loyalist forces against opposition groups. This alignment severely damaged Algeria’s international image, linking it to a cause that has become indefensible.
However, with the gradual decline of Assad’s regime and the rise of new leadership in Syria under Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Algeria is now making an awkward policy shift. Attaf’s mission in Damascus was primarily aimed at securing continued Syrian recognition of the so-called Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), a controversial legacy of Hafez al-Assad’s policies in the 1980s.
A Lackluster Visit and a Cold Reception
Far from the warm welcome Algeria had hoped for, Attaf’s visit turned into a diplomatic failure. It was treated as a mere protocol visit, receiving little attention from Syrian authorities and minimal media coverage. Syrian outlets issued only a brief statement and a few official photos, effectively closing the chapter on an event that held little significance for the new leadership in Damascus.
In stark contrast, relations between Syria’s new government and Morocco have taken a different course. Just four days before Attaf’s arrival, King Mohammed VI sent a congratulatory message to President Al-Sharaa, expressing Morocco’s clear willingness to foster cooperation with Syria.
A New Libyan Scenario on the Horizon?
Algeria’s anxiety is evident. The memory of Libya’s post-Gaddafi shift still haunts the Algerian regime. After Gaddafi’s fall in 2011, Libya’s new government immediately severed ties with the Polisario Front, exposing the group’s deep connection with the former Libyan regime.
A similar pattern now seems to be unfolding in Syria. The new Syrian authorities, well aware of the Polisario’s questionable role under Algeria’s patronage, have shown no signs of supporting the group. Instead, Syria’s current priority is reconstruction and establishing strong partnerships with reliable actors, such as Morocco.
Algerian Diplomacy in Decline
Ahmed Attaf’s failed visit reflects a broader reality: the growing isolation of Algerian diplomacy. Its rigid attachment to the Polisario and its inability to adapt to shifting geopolitical realities are making Algeria increasingly marginalized.
While Morocco continues to strengthen its position in Africa and the Middle East, Algeria remains stuck in outdated alliances and an obsolete ideological vision. Attaf’s unsuccessful visit to Damascus has become a symbol of the deadlock in Algerian diplomacy—unable to reinvent itself or align with the changing global order.
History will remember that while Syria was turning a new page, Algeria remained trapped in its illusions and outdated alliances. A lesson that Damascus seems to have understood—unlike Algiers.
