Before the outbreak of the war in Syria eleven years ago, Syrian series were very popular in the countries of the Arab world, especially during the month of Ramadan. Beyond the “political situation” instability that has prevailed for 11 years, the Syrian series production sector “lost a lot due to the reluctance of the Gulf markets and, in particular, Saudi Arabia, to acquire” its soap operas, writes the pan-Arab media Al-Arab. But this boycott which has never said its name now seems to be over.
This year, during the month of Muslim fasting, the Saudi channel MBC decided to broadcast Sursisthe first Syrian production to appear on Saudi screens “since Riyadh severed diplomatic relations with Damascus” in 2012. The program recounts the return of displaced people to a neighborhood near Damascus, the scene of clashes between government forces and rebels during the conflict.
In recent years, Syrian actors continued to appear in Ramadan series, but never in Syrian productions or co-productions. The popular series Bab Al-Harrawas certainly of Syrian creation but was produced and financed by the Saudi channel.
For many, this return of 100% Syrian series to Gulf channels coincides with the ongoing rapprochement between the oil monarchies of the region and the regime of Bashar El-Assad, crowned by the visit last month of the Syrian president to the Arab Emirates. united – his first trip to an Arab country since the beginning of the conflict.