Amid regional instability, Syria seeks to position itself as a useful Gulf partner
President Ahmad al-Sharaa travelled to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Damascus is presenting itself as both a potential bulwark against Iranian influence and a possible alternative trade route bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrives at 10 Downing Street in London on March 31, 2026, ahead of a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (Credit: AFP)
It is the fourth time he has set foot in the kingdom as Syria’s leader. Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the first stop in a Gulf tour aimed at strengthening regional ties, reported Syria’s state news agency SANA, without initially listing the other countries in his tour. Sharaa also visited Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.On Tuesday, the Syrian transitional president landed in Jeddah for an official visit, , where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to discuss bilateral relations and other areas of mutual interest, as the region continues to face major upheaval following the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran, launched on Feb. 28.Among the consequences was a wave of large-scale attacks, by Iran or its regional allies, targeting Saudi Arabia and its neighbors. Another focus...
It is the fourth time he has set foot in the kingdom as Syria’s leader. Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the first stop in a Gulf tour aimed at strengthening regional ties, reported Syria’s state news agency SANA, without initially listing the other countries in his tour. Sharaa also visited Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.On Tuesday, the Syrian transitional president landed in Jeddah for an official visit, , where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to discuss bilateral relations and other areas of mutual interest, as the region continues to face major upheaval following the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran, launched on Feb. 28.Among the consequences was a wave of large-scale attacks, by Iran or its regional allies, targeting Saudi Arabia and its neighbors. Another...
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