Syria’s Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa Visits Saudi Arabia—A Bold Message to Assad & Iran?

Dubai: Syria's interim President reached Saudi Arabia on Sunday as part of his first foreign trip, which indicates that Damascus is distancing itself from its main regional ally Iran. Ahmed al-Sharaa, who was formerly associated with the terrorist organization al-Qaeda, reached Riyadh with his government's Foreign Minister Asad al-Shaibani. Both the persons made this journey by Saudi plane.

Syrian interim President will meet with Prince Salman.

According to Saudi Arabia's state television, the destination of Al-Sharaa's first visit is the Riyadh. Al-Sharaa was earlier known internationally as Abu Mohammad al-Golani. Al-Shara is likely to meet Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit.

Saudi Arabia was with the rebels.

Saudi Arabia was one of the Arab countries that funded rebel groups that tried to oust former President Bashar al-Assad from power after Syria's 2011 'Arab Spring' protests. However, its groups had to retreat as Assad, with the support of Iran and Russia, turned the tide of the war in Syria.

Syria was visited by the Saudi Foreign Minister.

During a January visit to Damascus, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan declared that Riyadh was "actively negotiating" the easing of sanctions on Syria. In contrast to Al-Shara's main allies, including Qatar and Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the majority of the Arab world reestablished ties with Assad in 2023.

In Syria, the Islamic State continues to pose a serious threat.

Their relationship might be greatly strengthened if the penalties are lifted. Meanwhile, the Islamic State group and other extremists in Syria continue to pose a threat to the country's interim administration.