Syria’s newly appointed interim president, Ahmed al-Shara, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday for his first foreign trip since his rebel coalition ousted longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Mr. al-Shara landed at the airport in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, early on Sunday afternoon. The new flag of Syria flew alongside the Saudi flag at the airport. Mr. al-Shara later met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to Syrian and Saudi state news media. The two leaders were expected to discuss strengthening relations and garnering support for the lifting of international sanctions imposed on Syria, as reported by Saudi media.
The choice of Saudi Arabia for Mr. al-Shara’s first trip abroad was seen as a reflection of Syria’s shifting political alignments under the country’s new leadership, moving away from Iran, a key ally of the Assad regime, and toward the Gulf.
This visit follows a series of diplomatic meetings in Syria’s capital, Damascus, in recent weeks. Since the rebel coalition seized power in December, diplomats from Europe, the United States, the Gulf, and Russia have been engaging with Mr. al-Shara to establish contacts with his government.
The outcomes of these diplomatic efforts will help shape the new political landscape of Syria and the power dynamics across the Middle East, a region undergoing significant changes following Israel’s conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and the collapse of the Assad government.
Iran's influence in the region has notably diminished due to these conflicts, which targeted Tehran's proxies. Meanwhile, Russia faces challenges to its military strategy in the Middle East and Mediterranean after losing its main ally in the region, Mr. al-Assad. Turkey, which supported the rebels, has emerged as a significant player in Syria.
Initially cautious about the Islamist factions that took power in Syria last December, Gulf states have since increased their engagement and support for Mr. al-Shara and his interim government. They have urged Syria’s new leaders to demonstrate inclusivity and tolerance for the country’s diverse sects.
On Thursday, Qatar’s emir met with Mr. al-Shara in Damascus, marking the first visit to the Syrian capital by a Gulf head of state since the rebel coalition took control. This visit highlighted the interest of powerful Gulf Sunni rulers in shaping a post-Assad Syria under Mr. al-Shara’s leadership.
For Saudi Arabia, recent developments present a critical opportunity to reassert influence in both Syria and Lebanon, two countries where the kingdom had previously lost ground to Iran over the past decade.
Saudi Arabia has been expressing support for Syria’s new government and advocating for the removal of Western and European sanctions imposed on Mr. al-Assad’s administration. Following Mr. al-Shara’s appointment, both the king and crown prince of Saudi Arabia sent congratulatory messages, wishing him success in leading Syria.
Mr. al-Shara has emphasized the importance of the relationship with Saudi Arabia, giving his first exclusive Arab media interview in December to the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya broadcaster, rather than Al Jazeera of Qatar. “Saudi Arabia has a major role in Syria’s future, and I take pride in everything it has done for us,” he stated, recalling his childhood years spent in Riyadh.
For decades, Syria was Iran’s closest Arab ally and a key player in the regional competition for influence between Tehran and Gulf monarchies. After the onset of Syria’s civil war in 2011, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were strong opponents of Mr. al-Assad, closing their embassies in Syria in 2012 amid the brutal crackdown on dissidents.
However, after a decade of conflict, Gulf attitudes shifted as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates sought to reintegrate Mr. al-Assad into the Arab fold, partly to counter Iran’s growing influence in the region.
In early 2023, Saudi Arabia offered humanitarian aid to the Assad regime following a devastating earthquake that affected Turkey and Syria. Later that year, Syria was readmitted to the Arab League after a decade of isolation.
With the overthrow of Mr. al-Assad, Iran has been sidelined in Syria, allowing Saudi Arabia to seize the opportunity to establish its influence in Damascus.