Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa began his inaugural diplomatic journey abroad on Sunday February 2 2025 when he arrived in Riyadh Saudi Arabia which marked a significant realignment of regional relationships. During his tour with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani al-Sharaa launched a crucial initiative to detach Syria from Iran yet build ties with Gulf state governments.
Upon his arrival at Riyadh’s airport Al-Sharaa received both Saudi flags and the contemporary Syrian tricolour while being known as jihadist commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani because of his past ties to al-Qaeda. The upcoming meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman demonstrates the increasing Saudi Arabian sway over Syria’s current political situation. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan set the stage for this Saudi mission to Damascus when he visited Damascus in January to promise Saudi support for removing costly sanctions against Syria.
The ascent to interim president occurred after the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group conducted a December military offensive and subsequently changed its name through a renouncement of its extremist activities. As part of his effort to present a moderate image Al-Sharaa appointed women to important positions while making attempts to build bridges with Alawites and Christians in Syria. Through his administration Saudi Arabia keeps diplomatic relations at a distance from both Iran and Russia who provided support to the presidency of Bashar al-Assad. 
The visit displays Saudi Arabia’s shifting strategy involving its recent relationship restoration with Assad during 2023 and simultaneous activities with the interim government administration. Remaining issues persist in Syria because the country faces threats from Islamic State militants and economic ruin. The persistent insecurity problem in Syria enabled a recent car bomb attack in Manbij to result in four civilian fatalities.
Al-Sharaa’s diplomatic journey to Saudi Arabia primarily focuses on reassuring Western countries as he tries to secure relief from economic sanctions which Syria needs to rebuild the country. The billions required to reconstruct Syria could find essential backing through Riyadh’s assistance for shaping the country’s future.
