DUBAI, Feb 2: Syria’s interim president made his inaugural overseas trip on Sunday, arriving in Saudi Arabia, likely signaling a shift in Damascus’ primary regional alliance away from Iran.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, previously linked with al-Qaida, landed in Riyadh alongside foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani. The pair traveled aboard a Saudi aircraft, with the Saudi flag evident behind them.
Saudi state television highlighted that al-Sharaa, known internationally by his alias Abu Mohammed al-Golani, chose Riyadh as his first destination for this significant journey.
At the airport, Syria’s new three-star, tricolor flag was prominently displayed alongside the flag of Saudi Arabia as al-Sharaa emerged from the plane, dressed in a suit and tie. He was set to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is the kingdom’s de facto ruler.
Previously, Saudi Arabia was one of the Arab nations that funded insurgent groups aiming to overthrow former President Bashar Assad, following the 2011 Arab Spring protests in Syria. However, these groups faced setbacks as Assad, backed by Iran and Russia, turned the conflict into a deadlock.
This dynamic shifted with al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leading a rapid offensive in December. Although originally affiliated with al-Qaida, the group has since distanced itself from those ties.
In the time that has followed, both al-Sharaa and HTS have been strategic in shaping their public image. The interim president has adopted a military style similar to that of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, appointed women to key roles, and sought to maintain connections with Syria’s Christian and Alawite Shiite communities.
This strategy also includes keeping Iran and Russia at a certain distance. Iran has yet to reopen its embassy in Damascus, which was crucial in orchestrating operations through its so-called “Axis of Resistance,” which includes Assad’s Syria and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Russia aims to retain its military access to air and sea bases in Syria but has also navigated its relationship with Assad, especially after he fled during the offensive.
These efforts appear tailored to reassure Western nations and facilitate the lifting of harsh sanctions on Syria. The reconstruction of the country, which has suffered over a decade of conflict, could amount to hundreds of billions of dollars, alongside the pressing needs of a populace that remains largely impoverished.
In January, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited Damascus, asserting that Riyadh is “actively engaging in dialogue” to alleviate sanctions on Syria. Unlike al-Sharaa’s significant allies in Turkey and Qatar, Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic ties with Assad in 2023, mirroring the broader trend among many Arab countries. Lifting sanctions could significantly enhance their relationship.
Nonetheless, Syria’s interim government continues to confront threats from the Islamic State group and other militant factions within the country. Recently, a car bomb detonated in Manbij, a city within Syria’s Aleppo governorate, resulting in four civilian fatalities and nine injuries, as reported by SANA, citing local civil defense officials.
Turkish-backed Syrian rebels captured Manbij in December as part of an effort by Ankara to secure its border region with Syria for a buffer zone. (AP)
