Syrian ministers make first official visit to Qatar

Ministers from Syria’s transitional government arrived in Qatar on Sunday for their first official visit since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December, according to Syrian state news agency SANA and officials familiar with the visit.

High-level delegation arrives in Doha

The delegation, led by Interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, included Defense Minister Morhaf Abu Kasra and Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab.

The officials are set to discuss bilateral relations and explore avenues for increased cooperation between Syria and Qatar.

A Syrian diplomat and a Qatari official confirmed Shaibani’s arrival in Doha on Sunday morning for a series of meetings with Qatari counterparts.

Unlike other Arab nations, Qatar did not restore diplomatic relations with Syria under Assad.

The Syrian leader was ousted in December after an 11-day rebel offensive that captured key cities, including the capital, Damascus.

The conflict in Syria began in 2011 following Assad’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

Qatar was the second country, after Türkiye, to reopen its embassy in Damascus following Assad’s removal from power.

Focus on stability and recovery

In a statement shared on X last Friday, Foreign Minister Shaibani announced his upcoming visits to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.

“We look forward to these visits contributing to supporting stability, security, economic recovery, and building distinguished partnerships,” Shaibani wrote.