Saudi FM to visit Damascus, boosting ties with new Syrian administration

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud is set to visit Damascus on Friday to meet with senior officials in the new Syrian administration. This follows Saudi Arabia’s efforts to re-establish relations with Syria after years of regional isolation under former dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Why it matters

The visit marks a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s attempt to end Syria’s isolation and rebuild diplomatic relations in the Middle East. It also reflects the shifting dynamics in the region, with countries reassessing their stance on Syria following the country’s ongoing political developments.

Details

• Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s visit to Damascus comes nearly a year after he last visited in April 2023, when he met with Assad.
• In May 2023, Saudi Arabia invited Assad to attend an Arab League summit in Riyadh, signaling the country’s readiness to restore ties with Syria.
• Arab nations have historically expressed concerns over Syria’s production and trade of captagon, a drug that is widely abused in the Gulf.
• Syria is currently under a caretaker administration after rebels overthrew Assad’s regime in December, complicating diplomatic relations further.

Prince Faisal’s visit is part of broader regional efforts to re-integrate Syria into the Arab fold, despite the complex political and security situation in the country. The trip reflects the changing geopolitics in the Middle East, as countries look to address issues like Syria’s internal stability, its drug trade, and the ongoing conflict.