In a major development signaling Syria’s reentry into regional and global digital frameworks, the Syrian Arab Republic has officially rejoined the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) after over a decade of isolation. The announcement was made during Syria’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdulsalam Heikal’s official visit to Amman, Jordan, coinciding with the lifting of U.S. technology sanctions.
This move allows Syria to reconnect with the global mobile telecommunications network, access capacity-building programs, and participate in international industry events. Syrian telecom companies are now positioned to reintegrate into the global digital infrastructure. Minister Heikal received an invitation to the Mobile World Congress in Doha this November, marking a milestone in Arab-level technical collaboration.
During his visit, Heikal toured Jordan’s National Cybersecurity Centre, discussing data protection, licensing cybersecurity providers, and cloud computing policies. He emphasized the need to develop Syrian expertise in cybersecurity and integrate these topics into education.
The delegation also visited the Jordan Esports Federation to learn about Jordan’s digital economy strategies for esports, highlighting opportunities for job creation and GDP growth. Bilateral cooperation in this sector was underscored as a vital area for future collaboration.
This visit and Syria’s renewed participation in international forums reflect a transformative step in the country’s digital and regional repositioning, opening pathways for Syria’s technology sector to engage globally and strengthen ties with Arab neighbors in cybersecurity, AI, and digital infrastructure.
