The Syrian government has condemned anti-Egypt slogans chanted at a recent pro-Palestinian demonstration in Damascus, stressing that the incident did not represent the feelings of the Syrian people and reaffirming its commitment to strong relations with Cairo.
In a statement on Monday, the foreign ministry said that video footage circulating on social media in recent days, which showed a small group of people chanting offensive slogans, "in no way reflects the sentiments of the Syrian people toward the Arab Republic of Egypt, its leadership and people".
The ministry stressed that the chants had represented "only those who voiced them", adding that "such reprehensible actions" were rejected. It expressed regret over attempts to exploit what it called an "isolated incident" to undermine its "deep and longstanding fraternal ties" with Egypt.
Damascus remains "committed to strengthening bilateral relations" and "categorically rejects any attempt to harm them", the foreign ministry statement added.
The statement followed the circulation of footage from a pro-Gaza demonstration in Damascus, where a group of protesters chanted against Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
According to the video, the chants included criticism of Egypt's closure of the Rafah crossing with Gaza, as the Israeli bombardment of the enclave continues.
The video triggered anger in Egypt, with calls spreading on social media for the deportation of Syrian refugees.
Relations between Cairo and Damascus have thawed in recent years, with Egypt restoring diplomatic contact and meeting Syrian officials at regional summits such as the Arab League in March, although Cairo has stopped short of fully embracing Syria's return to the regional fold.
Under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who took power after the 2025 fall of Bashar al-Assad, Syrian-Egyptian ties have entered a strategically significant yet cautious phase, with al-Sharaa seeking Arab legitimacy and Egypt playing a central role in that effort.
His first major diplomatic move was to attend the emergency Arab Summit in Cairo in March, where he met Sisi. Both leaders pledged to "open a new page in relations", emphasising regional stability and Arab unity.
Despite these overtures, Egypt has maintained a guarded stance due to al-Sharaa’s Islamist background and past ties to Hayaat Tahrir al-Sham.
Cairo has made clear that deeper ties depend on Damascus resisting Turkish influence, avoiding support for Islamist movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood, and refraining from interference in Egyptian affairs.