Saudi Arabia and Qatar Support for Syrian Government Workers
This weekend, Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced plans to subsidize the salaries of Syrian government workers under the new Islamic regime in Syria.
During a visit to Damascus on Saturday, Saudi Prince Faisal bin Fahan Al Saud emphasized “cooperative financial support” for the Syrian government’s infrastructure. He met with President Ahmed Al Shala, previously a leader in the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorist group. Riyadh stands out as a strong supporter of the HTS government that has emerged following the exit of long-time dictator Bashar Assad last December.
The Assad family’s grip on Syria lasted over 50 years, including the civil war that began in 2011, significantly weakening Assad’s military hold and enabling HTS to enter Damascus. Previously known as “Abu Mohamed Al Jorani,” HTS aims to portray itself as a group not seeking a Taliban-like Islamic state. Instead, the organization is calling on wealthy nations to invest in the reconstruction of war-torn Syrian cities, promising significant economic benefits for early investors.
In defense of Saudi Arabia’s interests, a meeting between Donald Trump and the interim president saw Trump praise the latter, claiming the U.S. would lift stringent sanctions imposed during Assad’s regime. These sanctions were previously enacted in response to the regime’s human rights abuses and have hindered progress for displaced groups.
Faisal’s visit was primarily to introduce new incentives to foster the HTS government’s growth and enhance global business investment in Syria. He announced that Saudi Arabia and Qatar will together provide financial support to Syrian state employees.
Reports indicate that the two countries expect this support to be effective within three months. Additionally, Faisal mentioned that a delegation of Saudi businessmen would soon travel to Syria to explore investment opportunities and identify reconstruction projects. The Saudi Foreign Ministry reassured Syrian leaders of their commitment to support the Syrian populace.
In discussions with Sharaa, the state-run Saudi news agency highlighted a focus on strengthening relationships and addressing regional security, stability, and the support needed for the Syrian economy and institutions.
The HTS government expressed gratitude towards Saudi investments, with Syrian Foreign Minister Asad al-Shaibani emphasizing his discussions with Faisal about economic cooperation and shared interests in energy and investment.
Al-Shaibani remarked on the palpable support from Saudi Arabia since Syria’s liberation, stressing that fostering U.S. partnerships is vital for future economic recovery. He noted that lifting U.S. sanctions is critical, as these measures disproportionately affect the Syrian populace rather than the administration.
Faisal reportedly communicated Riyadh’s dedication to strengthening ties with Syria, underlining Saudi Arabia’s role in supporting the country’s reconstruction and recovery.
As a pivotal player in fostering closer ties between Syria and the U.S., Saudi Arabia has paved the way for diplomatic visits and strategic discussions. After meeting with Sharaa, Trump commented on his hope that lifting sanctions would provide significant opportunities, marking a particularly “historical” moment in U.S.-Syria relations.
