Syrian interim president meets Saudi prince in first official foreign visit

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia during his first official visit as the country’s new leader. During his visit, he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Sunday, Feb. 2.

Al-Sharaa assumed the new role of president on Wednesday, Jan. 29. This came less than two months after his group toppled the Bashar Assad regime. Assad has been living in Russia since escaping Syria.

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Following the meeting, al-Sharaa said in a written statement that he and the crown prince discussed humanitarian and economic topics. He also said the two discussed “future plans in the fields of energy, technology, education and health.”

The Saudi Press Agency said the discussions examined ways to “support the security and stability of sisterly Syria.”

How did al-Sharaa come to power?

In December 2024, al-Sharaa’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, began a lightning offensive against the Assad-backed military. Assad’s regime was toppled in less than two weeks following the rebels’ first attack on Nov. 27, 2024. Assad fled the country 11 days later on Dec. 7, 2024. 

Since Assad’s fall, al-Sharaa and HTS have been working with their neighbors to get the West to lift the crippling sanctions on Syria given during the Assad regime. 

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited the Syrian capital of Damascus in January. During his visit, he said that Saudi Arabia is “actively engaging in dialogue” to help lift sanctions in Syria. 

Before his trip to Saudi Arabia, al-Sharaa hosted Qatar’s ruling emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as his first foreign head of state.

What challenges does Syria currently face?

However, al-Sharaa faces a few challenges from militant groups in Syria. On Saturday, Feb. 1, a car bomb exploded in Manbij, according to The Associated Press. The blast killed four civilians.

Turkish-backed Syrian rebels had seized Manbij in December 2024. Officials said this was part of a push by Turkey to secure Syrian territory close to its border for a buffer zone. 

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Al-Sharaa is expected to remain in Saudi Arabia on Monday, Feb. 3. Officials said he is expected to visit the holy city of Mecca.