DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Syria’s interim president embarked on his inaugural international journey on Sunday, making a trip to Saudi Arabia, which appears to be a strategic move indicating Damascus’ intention to pivot away from Iran as its primary regional supporter.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, previously linked to al-Qaida, arrived in Riyadh accompanied by his foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani. The pair traveled on a Saudi plane, which displayed the Saudi flag prominently on a table behind them during their journey.
Saudi state media highlighted the significance of al-Sharaa’s visit, marking it as his first overseas trip as he is internationally recognized by the alias Abu Mohammed al-Golani. Upon arrival, Syria’s newly adopted three-star tricolor flag was displayed alongside Saudi Arabia’s at the airport as al-Sharaa, dressed in formal attire, deplaned. Meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who effectively governs the kingdom, were scheduled as part of the visit.
Saudi Arabia had previously been one of the Arab nations that financed opposition factions aiming to overthrow former President Bashar Assad following Syria’s 2011 Arab Spring protests, which led to a brutal uprising. These groups struggled against Assad, who was bolstered by Iranian and Russian support, ultimately resulting in a stalemate in the ongoing conflict in Syria.
A turning point occurred with a significant attack in December led by al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Though originally affiliated with al-Qaida, the group has since severed those connections.
Since then, both al-Sharaa and HTS have been cautious in shaping their public narratives. Al-Sharaa has adopted a military aesthetic akin to that of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, appointed women to positions of responsibility, and worked to ensure relations with Syria’s Christian and Shiite Alawite communities.
This strategy also involves maintaining a certain distance from both Iran and Russia. Iran’s embassy in Damascus remains closed, a crucial element in their operations within the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” which includes Assad’s regime and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Russia, while keen on retaining access to its military bases in Syria, had provided refuge for Assad when he fled.
These efforts seem designed to win over Western support and seek the lifting of stringent sanctions imposed on Syria. The reconstruction of a war-torn Syria, after more than a decade of conflict, will necessitate an investment of hundreds of billions of dollars, not to mention the urgent humanitarian needs of Syria’s population, many of whom live in extreme poverty.
In January, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan made a visit to Damascus and stated that Riyadh has been involved in “active dialogue” aimed at sanction relief for Syria. Unlike al-Sharaa’s vital allies Turkey and Qatar, Saudi Arabia restored its relationship with Assad in 2023, aligning with a broader trend among Arab nations. Lifting sanctions could significantly strengthen Saudi relations with al-Sharaa’s administration.
However, the interim government still grapples with threats from the Islamic State and various other militant factions within Syria. Recently, a car bomb detonated in Manbij, a city in Aleppo’s province, resulting in the deaths of four civilians and injuring nine, according to reports from civil defense authorities.
Manbij was captured by Turkish-backed Syrian rebels in December, a part of Ankara’s strategy to secure territories in Syria along its border to create a buffer zone.
