The Swiss Foreign Ministry announced in a statement on Tuesday that it has reopened its embassy in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, after a closure of 33 years since 1991 due to the Gulf War. Through its official website, the ministry added, “The Federal Council aims to enhance bilateral relations with the populous nation and strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, security, and migration through the reopening of the embassy.”
It was noted that “this move achieves one of the Federal Council’s strategic goals for the Middle East and North Africa region for 2021-2024.” The statement also mentioned that “the security situation in Iraq has improved in recent years,” highlighting that “Baghdad is entering a phase of economic development and is simultaneously playing an increasingly important role as a regional mediator.”
Furthermore, it was pointed out that “Iraq has made continuous efforts over the past few years to enhance peace and security in the region.” The ministry clarified that “the new embassy will work to enhance Switzerland’s role as an active player in promoting peace and humanitarian aid in the Middle East and North Africa.”
The Swiss embassy in Baghdad was originally closed in 1991 due to the outbreak of the Gulf War following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. This closure came during a time of significant geopolitical instability in the region, which saw the Swiss government prioritizing the safety of its diplomatic staff and nationals. In the years that followed, despite the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003 and the subsequent civil war conditions, Switzerland maintained its diplomatic stance of keeping the embassy closed due to ongoing security concerns. The situation in Iraq, including the rise of the Islamic State which further destabilized the region, especially around cities like Mosul, contributed to this prolonged absence of a Swiss diplomatic mission in Iraq
