The Syrian presidential office announced on Tuesday that Hassan Akhund, the Taliban’s chief minister, had sent a message to Ahmed Sharaa, congratulating him on his appointment as Syria’s interim president and wishing him success in addressing Syria’s challenges.
In his message, Akhund expressed hope for stronger “brotherly relations” between Afghanistan and Syria, saying that enhanced ties would serve the interests of both nations.
This marks the first time Akhund has engaged in direct communication with a foreign leader since the Taliban took power in August 2021.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, born in 1982 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a militant Islamist who became Syria’s interim president in January 2025 after leading a decisive offensive that resulted in the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
Prior to this, al-Sharaa commanded Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group initially formed as an affiliate of al-Qaeda. Under his leadership, HTS played a pivotal role in the Syrian Civil War, culminating in the establishment of a transitional government following Assad’s departure.
