Ahmad al-Sharaa, known internationally by his alias Abu Mohammed al-Golani, arrived in Riyadh accompanied by his foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani. Their journey took them on a Saudi aircraft, with the national flag prominently displayed behind them.
Saudi state television highlighted al-Sharaa’s choice of Riyadh as his first stop. Upon arrival, Syria’s new three-colored flag was seen flying alongside Saudi Arabia’s flag at the airport. Dressed in a suit and tie, he was greeted with a smile by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s effective leader, at the al-Yamamah Palace. However, both nations refrained from releasing immediate information on the discussions held between the two leaders.
Saudi Arabia was previously among the Arab nations that invested heavily in rebel factions aiming to overthrow President Bashar Assad following the onset of the 2011 protests, which spiraled into a severe government crackdown. Despite this support, Assad managed to fortify his position, backed by allies like Iran and Russia, leading to a stalemate in the ongoing conflict.
The dynamics have since shifted with the rapid offensive launched in December by al-Sharaa’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which, despite its past ties to al-Qaida, has openly distanced itself from that affiliation. In recent times, al-Sharaa and HTS have taken steps to cultivate a positive public image, with the interim president adopting a military style reminiscent of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He has also taken measures to promote gender diversity in leadership roles and foster connections with Syria’s Christian and Shiite Alawite communities.
Part of their strategy appears to involve keeping both Iran and Russia at a distance. Notably, Iran has not yet reopened its embassy in Damascus since the conflict, which played a pivotal role in their operations alongside their so-called “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition that includes Hezbollah and other allies. Iranian state media recognized al-Sharaa’s visit to Saudi Arabia—historically a rival—but did not discuss Iran’s ongoing difficulties in Syria.
Russia is keen on preserving access to its military bases in Syria, but it offered refuge to Assad when he fled. This diplomatic maneuvering seems aimed at reassuring Western allies and seeking relief from the crushing sanctions imposed on Syria. The reconstruction of Syria after over a decade of conflict is estimated to require hundreds of billions of dollars, alongside the humanitarian needs of millions of impoverished citizens.
In January, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited Damascus and mentioned that Riyadh has been persistently engaging in talks to lift sanctions on Syria. Unlike al-Sharaa’s main allies in Turkey and Qatar, Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic ties with Assad in 2023, joining the broader Arab world in this shift. Easing sanctions could significantly enhance their diplomatic rapport.
Prior to al-Sharaa’s arrival in Saudi Arabia, he hosted Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, representing his first meeting with a foreign head of state.
However, challenges remain for Syria’s interim government, such as threats from the Islamic State group and other militant factions. Recently, a car bomb exploded in Manbij—a city within the Aleppo governorate—resulting in the deaths of four civilians and injuring nine, as reported by SANA, referencing officials in civil defense.
Turkish-backed Syrian rebels had taken control of Manbij in December, which was part of Ankara’s efforts to secure a buffer zone along its border with Syria.
