The acting president of Syria has traveled overseas for the first time during his tenure. In what is probably an effort to signify Damascus’s turn away from Tehran, Ahmed al-Sharaa has traveled to Saudi Arabia.
Accompanied by Asaad al-Shaibani, the acting foreign minister of his administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Riyadh airport today. During the civil war, al-Sharaa was briefly associated with al-Qaida terrorist group. His initial worldwide recognition came under the alias Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.
A Saudi flag was seen on the eating surface behind the two guys as they boarded a Saudi plane off Damascus airport. Saudi official media bragged that Sharaa’s initial visit would be to Riyadh. As the Syrian president stepped off the aircraft stairs, Saudi Arabia’s flag and Syria’s new three-star tricolor flag were flying next to each other at the departure gate.
Among the Arab countries that provided financial support to rebel organizations opposing the Assad government was Saudi Arabia. Following the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings in Syria, these parties attempted to overthrow former regime under al-Assad. The large-scale protests eventually descended into a brutal repression. That being said, its groups were defeated. Across Syria, the regime officers pushed the conflict into a standstill.
A sudden attack late last year, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham under the leader ship of al-Jolani, transformed that. The organization has renounced its previous affiliation with al-Qaida. Since then, Sharaa, adopting his original name, and his alliance have taken great effort to control their public perception. The acting president prefers a military appearance that is comparable to that of Ukrainian leader, olive in color. In the transitional government, women have been assigned to positions, against early expectations.
Active Diplomacy
Additionally, the new Syrian leader has made an effort to keep in touch with the Shiite and Christian groups in the country. This also entails maintaining a high degree of distance with Moscow and Tehran. The Iranian embassy in Syria has not yet reopened. Via its axis of resistance, the nation has played a crucial role in conducting missions. Hezbollah group in bordering Lebanon, and Syrian strategic position under Assad, and other allies were members of the axis. Russia seeks to keep control to its air and naval bases in Syrian territories. However, it accepted Assad in during HTS offensive when he escaped the country.
The actions seem to be an attempt to relieve punishing restrictions on Syria and reassure the international community. It will probably require thousands of billions of dollars for the reconstruction of the nation after almost ten years of conflict.
Last month, foreign minister if Saudi Arabia traveled to Damascus. Riyadh has been engaged in negotiations to remove restrictions against the nation of Syria, according to Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Over a year before its collapse, Saudi Arabia and the majority of the Arab world reestablished relations with Assad regime. Their friendship with the new rulers in Syria might be strengthened significantly if sanctions are repealed.
In the meantime, the ISIS and other extremists in Syrian territories continue to pose a threat to the the nation’s interim administration. Manbij, a city in the Aleppo, was the scene of a vehicle bomb explosion yesterday. Nine persons were injured and four were killed in the explosion. Last month, Manbij had fallen to Syrian rebels supported by Turkey. It was a component of Ankara’s drive to establish a zone of protection by securing Syrian land along its borderline.
