Sweden appoints new ambassador to Syria ahead of embassy reopening

The Swedish government has appointed senior diplomat Jessica Svärdström as its new ambassador to Syria, in a move paving the way for direct Swedish diplomatic representation in Damascus, after 14 years of downgraded presence.

Svärdström is expected to take up her post in the Syrian capital in August, according to a government statement issued on Thursday.

She currently serves as Sweden’s ambassador in Beirut and has in recent years acted as Sweden’s interim representative to Syria, overseeing Syria-related diplomatic work from the Lebanese capital.

A career diplomat with extensive experience in conflict and post-conflict environments, Svärdström has previously served as Sweden’s ambassador to both Iraq and Mali.

The appointment comes as Stockholm continues preparations to reopen its embassy in Damascus. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has in recent months publicly confirmed that work is underway to restore a permanent diplomatic presence in Syria “as soon as possible”, without issuing a specific date.

Sweden withdrew its embassy staff from Damascus in late March 2012, citing the deteriorating security situation as the Syrian conflict escalated under the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Since then, diplomatic activities related to Syria have been managed primarily through the Swedish embassy in Beirut, with Swedish diplomats making periodic visits to Damascus.

"Syria is in a new phase. The fall of teh Assad regime means an opportunity for a new start in Sweden's bilateral relationship with Syria, and the appointment of an ambassador is part of this," Sweden's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told The New Arab in a comment. "The Syrian people deserve peace, democracy and the opportunity to rebuild their contry."

The move to send a full ambassador to Syria follows a broader wave of diplomatic activity in the country under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Several countries have reopened embassies in Damascus as part of efforts to rebuild political and diplomatic ties with the new authorities, including Germany in March 2025. The European Union, too, reopened its official diplomatic mission in Damascus as early as 17 December 2024, just days after Assad fled to Russia.

Relations between Sweden and Syria have shifted significantly since then, with a particular focus on voluntary refugee return, humanitarian assistance and judicial cooperation.

In October 2025, Sweden announced changes to its strategy for aid to Syria. The revised framework, which runs until 2027, expands Swedish support beyond strictly humanitarian relief to include reconstruction, economic recovery and creating conditions for the return of refugees.

"Through a long-term commitment, Sweden contributed to reconstruction, economic recovery and stability to further strengthen the conditions for a sustainable return and repatriation of Syrian citizens," the MFA said.

Under the new Syria strategy, Sweden has allocated 295 million kronor (around £230 million) up to 2027.