Syria's President Al-Sharaa Visits Qatar, Continues Gulf Tour Strengthening Regional Ties

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Doha on Wednesday for talks with Qatar's leadership, the latest stop on a Gulf tour after meeting Saudi Arabia's crown prince a day earlier. Al-Sharaa met Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with talks covering economic cooperation and investment, according to Qatar's foreign ministry. He was received by senior officials upon arrival at Doha International Airport, the Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported. Al-Sharaa, who said he held a "fraternal meeting" in a post on X, reiterated his country's solidarity with Qatar regarding threats to its security and sovereignty, according to QNA. Al-Sharaa held talks in Jeddah on Tuesday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, discussing bilateral relations and ways to expand economic and investment partnerships, according to Syria's state news agency SANA. The meeting, which al-Sharaa lauded as "warm reception and generous hospitality," also covered regional linking projects and international developments, SANA said. Relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria have strengthened since the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad's government, with Riyadh backing Syria's regional reintegration. Al-Sharaa has made multiple visits to Gulf states since becoming president following al-Assad's ouster in December 2024, including four trips to Saudi Arabia. Qatar was one of the first Arab states to re-engage with Syria's new leadership. Emir Sheikh Al Thani visited Damascus in January 2025 and became the first Arab leader to meet al-Sharaa after he took office. In early 2025, Qatar announced plans to provide 200 megawatts of electricity to Syria as part of infrastructure rehabilitation efforts.