Arab diplomats strengthen ties with new Syrian leadership

Dec. 24, 2024

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — According to a report by The New York Times, top Arab diplomats arrived at Damascus on Monday in a diplomatic move intended to building ties with the new leadership in Syria.

The visits by ministers from Jordan and Qatar mark a crucial moment in regional politics following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime by a rebel coalition.

The delegations, which included Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed al-Khulaifi, are among the first to hold meetings with Ahmed al-Shara, the leader of Syria’s transitional government and head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Both officials held extensive discussions with Mr. al-Shara, indicating a resumption in relations between Syria and its Arab neighbors after more than a decade of estrangement.

The visits follow a meeting of Arab leaders in Jordan earlier this month, where they promised support for a nonviolent transition in Syria.

Arab nations mostly cut off ties with Assad's government after his government ruthlessly suppressed the pro-democracy protesters in 2011, which later led to a ruinous civil war.

Recent years saw a change toward reengagement with Assad, but his continuous authoritarianism dashed hopes for fostering stability in the region.

Now that Assad’s government has fallen, the regional powers and actors have started to embrace Syria’s new leadership.

New Beginnings Amid Challenges

The New York Times report emphasized the restrained optimism surrounding Mr. al-Shara’s leadership, despite his earlier links to extremist groups.

The report cited analysts like Julien Barnes-Dacey, from the European Council on Foreign Relations, who noted that Mr. al-Shara’s previous links with al-Qaeda caused hesitation among the regional and global leaders; however, the report also highlighted that “repeated pronouncements that his government would be pragmatic, inclusive and respectful of the country’s many religious and ethnic groups” have been well-received.

The Foreign Minister of Joran Safadi highlighted his country’s intention to support the Syrian people while addressing persistent issues such as the safe return of over 600,000 Syrian refugees currently in Jordan and confronting terrorism and trafficking concerns.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Foreign Minister al-Khulaifi expressed his country’s willingness to invest in Syria’s recovery, including stimulating its energy and transportation sectors.

Qatar, which upheld its opposition to Assad during the years of internal conflict, sent a strong message of support for Syria’s transitional government.

Mr. al-Shara acknowledged Qatar for its humanitarian assistance during the war and welcomed their investment plans.

Regional Realignment

The diplomatic advances reflect wider efforts to restructure alliances in the Middle East.

According to the New York Times report, Paul Salem of the Middle East Institute explained that Arab nations see a chance to reduce Iranian influence in Syria, which had grown considerably under the Assad regime.

The report highlighted that Qatar’s active stance underlines a regional push to re-integrate Syria into the Arab fold.

The report also noticed that Turkey, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates have also engaged with Syria’s new leadership.

Turkey, which hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees, intends to secure stability and align Syria’s future with its own interests.

Lebanon, deeply influenced by Assad’s decades-long intrusion, seeks assurances of non-intervention from the new government in Damascus.

In meetings with Arab and Turkish officials, Mr. al-Shara wore a suit and tie instead of his usual military attire, indicating efforts to project a more statesmanlike picture.

He recognized the damage caused by the Assad regime and promised to foster positive relations with neighboring countries.

As Arab nations readjust their approach to Syria, The New York Times report underlines the significance of these early diplomatic efforts in determining Syria’s post-Assad trajectory.