RIYADH — Ahmed al-Shara, Syria’s newly appointed interim president, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, marking his first official trip abroad since his coalition ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.
Al-Shara landed in Riyadh early in the afternoon and is expected to spend two days in the Saudi capital. He is scheduled to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and seeking support for the lifting of international sanctions imposed on Syria, according to Saudi and Syrian state media.
The visit signals Syria’s shifting political alliances under its new leadership—away from Iran, a key backer of the Assad regime, and toward the Gulf states. Saudi Arabia, which had long opposed Assad, has moved swiftly to engage with Syria’s transitional government as it seeks to reshape the region’s geopolitical landscape.
Al-Shara’s visit to Riyadh follows a flurry of diplomatic activity in Damascus, where officials from Europe, the United States, the Gulf, and Russia have held meetings with Syria’s new leadership since the rebel coalition took power in December.
The outcomes of these diplomatic engagements are expected to influence the regional balance of power at a time of heightened instability in the Middle East, shaped by Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon and the collapse of Assad’s rule.
Iran, which had relied on the Assad regime as a linchpin of its regional influence, has seen its position weakened by Israeli strikes on Tehran’s proxies. Meanwhile, Russia, which had invested heavily in supporting Assad, is facing a strategic setback in the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
Turkey, which backed the Syrian rebels, has emerged as a dominant player in shaping the country’s new political order.
While initially cautious about the Islamist factions that helped overthrow Assad, Gulf nations have increasingly engaged with al-Shara’s transitional government. Early on, Gulf leaders encouraged Syria’s new rulers to pursue inclusive policies that reflect the country’s diverse sectarian makeup.
On Thursday, Qatar’s emir traveled to Damascus, becoming the first Gulf head of state to visit Syria since the rebel coalition took control. The visit underscored Gulf rulers’ interest in shaping Syria’s post-Assad future, with al-Shara emerging as a key figure in the country’s political transition.
