Saudi Arabia–Syria relations#2010s and Syrian Civil War

Sonoko Sunayama, a Middle East expert, argues that although economic concerns and balance of power are important, concerns about identity and ideology play the most significant role in the two countries' relations.{{cite journal|author=Hilary Kalmbach|title=Book Review|journal=International Journal of Middle East Studies|year=2009|volume=41|jstor=40206107}} Ian Black of The Guardian, on the other hand, states that Saudi foreign policy in general mostly focuses on business involving financial incentives and low-profile initiatives, which continued towards Syria until King Abdullah's high-profile condemnation of the Syrian government in 2011.{{cite news|author=Ian Black|title=Saudi Arabia's rare criticism of Syria reveals their underlying antipathy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/08/saudi-arabia-criticism-syria-analysis|access-date=12 August 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=8 August 2011}}

Both countries share Arab nationalist and Islamic identities. However, a significant element of their identity and government, namely secular versus conservative pattern, is completely different in that Syria had a secular government and life-style till 2024, while Saudi Arabia has a conservative government and world view.

The relations between two countries have been turbulent since their establishment as modern states.{{cite news|author=Yazan Al Saadi|title=Saudi–Syrian Relations: A Historic Divide|url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/3906|access-date=11 August 2013|newspaper=Al Akhbar|date=4 February 2012}}

File:Jamil Mardam Bey with Prince Faisal.jpg with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince (later king) Faisal, 1940s]]

A Syrian mission was opened in Saudi Arabia in 1941, when Syria was still under the control of the French Mandate.{{cite thesis|author=Mohammad Zaid Al Kahtani|title=The Foreign Policy of King Abdulaziz|location=University of Leeds|date=December 2004|url=https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/529/|degree=PhD}} King Abdulaziz reportedly supported the independence of Syria and Lebanon from both the Hashemite dynasty and the French mandate. Syria recognized Saudi Arabia as a sovereign state in 1944.{{Cite thesis|author=Mohamed Zayyan Aljazairi|year=1968|title=Diplomatic history of Saudi Arabia, 1903–1960s|location=University of Arizona|page=59|degree=MA|url=https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/318068|hdl=10150/318068}} The King met Shukri Al Quwatli, the first president of independent Syria, on 17 February 1945 in Al Fayyum, Egypt. Both Saudi Arabia and Syria were founding members of the Arab League which was established in March 1945.{{cite encyclopedia|title=Arab League|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|date=11 September 2023 |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arab-League}}

File:Arab Defense Pact Signing 1957.jpg

Saudi Arabia supported the coup in Syria by Adib Shishakli in December 1950. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia and Syria were in rival camps in the 1950s and 1960s, largely because of the policies of Egypt's leader Gamal Nasser and the Cold War. Syria supported Nasser's policies and was the major Arab ally of the USSR,{{cite book|title=The Cold War and the Middle East|year=1997|chapter=Syria

|publisher=Clarendon Press|location=Oxford|author=Patrick Seale|editor1=Yezid Sayigh|editor2=Avi Shlaim|isbn=978-0198290995}} while Saudi Arabia was among the opponents of Nasser's policies and was close to the United States. But in 1956, Syrian President Shukri Al Quwatli signed a defense agreement with Gamal Nasser and Saudi King Saud in Egypt. The agreement said that Syria, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia would safeguard Arab security and defend the Arab World against US-led Baghdad Pact.{{cite news |title=CENTO pact members to dissolve alliance soon |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vJYuAAAAIBAJ&pg=5263%2C6037291|newspaper=The Gazette|agency=Associated Press|location=Montreal|date=17 March 1979|page=46|access-date=15 March 2014|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117042328/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vJYuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=haEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5263%2C6037291}} By 1958 this deterioration in the relationship had led to King Saud offering a bribe of £1.9 million to Abdel Hamid al-Sarraj, the head of Syrian intelligence at the time and later vice president of the United Arab Republic, to encourage the assassination of Nasser.{{cite book|author=Tim Niblock|year=2006|title=Saudi Arabia: Power, Legitimacy and Survival

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wruWYyIPZl8C&q=nasir&pg=PR12|location=Abingdon-on-Thames|publisher=Routledge|page=41|isbn=978-1-134-41304-1}}

After the Ba'ath Party came to power in Syria in 1963, Syria's diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia again became tense. A left-wing faction of the Ba'ath Party, called the Neo-Ba'ath, led by Salah Jadid took over the government on 23 February 1966,{{cite journal|author=Joseph Mann|title=The Syrian Neo-Baath regime and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 1966–70|volume=42|issue=5|pages=761–776|year=2006|journal=Middle Eastern Studies

|doi=10.1080/00263200600828014|s2cid=144587765}} and declared war against monarchist nations, including Saudi Arabia. On 3 May 1966, King Faisal cancelled all trade agreements with Syria.

File:Ronald Reagan, George Shultz, Prince Saud al Faisal, Abd al-Halim Khaddam.jpg with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud, Ronald Reagan and George Shultz in 1982]]

At the end of November 1970, Syria's Neo-Ba'ath leaders were toppled and removed, and Hafez al-Assad became ruler of Syria. Diplomatic negotiations between the two countries were opened and renewed. With the death of Nasser in 1970 relations improved further.

Three months before the joint attacks by Egyptian and Syrian forces on Israeli forces in the Sinai and the Golan Heights, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Syrian President Hafez al-Assad visited King Faisal in Riyadh in August 1973.{{cite web|title=The October War and U.S. Policy|url=http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB98/|work=The National Security Archive|access-date=11 August 2013|date=7 October 2003}}{{cite news|author=Joseph A. Kéchichian|title=King Faisal's lieutenant on world stage|url=http://gulfnews.com/life-style/people/king-faisal-s-lieutenant-on-world-stage-1.608690|access-date=11 August 2013|newspaper=Gulf News|date=9 April 2010|author-link=Joseph A. Kéchichian}} In turn, King Faisal visited Damascus in 1974{{cite news|title=Seminar focuses on King Faisal's efforts to promote world peace|access-date=11 August 2013|newspaper=Arab News|date=30 May 2002|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/221293}} and persuaded the US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to include Syria as a key participant in any Arab–Israeli negotiations. King Khalid, successor of King Faisal, stated in 1975 that Saudi Arabia supported the Syrian role in the Lebanese civil war.{{cite book|author=Andrew Downer Crain|title=The Ford Presidency: A History|page=142|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_8oeucRr0Z0C&pg=PA142|year=2009|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-5299-6|location=Jefferson, NC; London}} Hafez al-Assad participated in the Riyadh summit held in 1976.{{cite news|title=Saudi Arabia and Syrian Revolution|access-date=24 October 2023|newspaper=Arab News

|url= https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Saudi+Arabia+and+Syrian+revolution.-a0305406453|agency=Al Bawaba|location=Jeddah|date=15 October 2012|via=TheFreeLibrary}}

Syria's alliance with the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Iran–Iraq War again strained relations at the beginning of the 1980s. Syria's Assad paid a visit to Riyadh on 22 December 1981.{{cite news|author=Geoffrey Godsell|title=Syrians and Saudis work to reverse setbacks to the Arab cause|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/1981/1223/122341.html|access-date=11 August 2013|work=The Christian Science Monitor|date=23 December 1981}} When King Fahd became the ruler of Saudi Arabia in 1982 he developed a special bond with Assad that continued throughout his reign.{{cite magazine|title=No news – good news?|magazine=Al Ahram Weekly|date=2–8 June 2005|issue=745

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103142503/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/745/re8.htm|archive-date=3 November 2013

|url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/745/re8.htm|url-status=dead}} In October 1989, both countries actively supported the Taif agreement that reestablished Lebanon's political system and ended the civil war in Lebanon.{{cite book|title=The foreign policies of Middle East states|isbn=978-1626370296|chapter-url=http://dro.dur.ac.uk/4169/1/4169.pdf|year=2002|location=Boulder, CO|pages=283–290

|author=Anoushiravan Ehtesham|editor=Lynne Rienner|chapter=The foreign policy of Iran|publisher=Lynne Rienner}}

The relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria were positive in the 1990s. Following the invasion of Kuwait by the Iraqi president Saddam Hussein in August 1990, Syria took part in the US-led international coalition that was established to defend Saudi Arabia and liberate Kuwait.{{cite web|title=Brief History of Syria|work=Syrian Friendship Association

|url=http://www.syrian-friendship-association.org/Brief_History_of_Syria/Brief_History_of_Syria.html|access-date=11 August 2013}}

Four months after Bashar al-Assad succeeded his father as Syrian president, he visited Saudi Arabia in October 2000 and met King Fahd.{{cite news|title=On President Assad's visit to Saudi Arabia|url=http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/001009/2000100909.html

|access-date=11 August 2013|work=Arabic News|date=9 October 2000}} It was his second state visit, after Egypt.

The assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, an ally of Saudi Arabia, in Beirut on 14 February 2005 adversely affected relations.{{cite web|title=The Syrian Crisis and the Saudi-Iranian Rivalry|author=Benedetta Berti|url=https://www.fpri.org/articles/2012/10/syrian-crisis-and-saudi-iranian-rivalry|work=Foreign Policy Research Institute|access-date=11 August 2013|author2=Yoel Guzansky|date=October 2012|archive-date=20 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520172010/http://www.fpri.org/articles/2012/10/syrian-crisis-and-saudi-iranian-rivalry|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Saudi Arabia appoints ambassador to Syria|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Saudi-Arabia-appoints-ambassador-to-Syria|access-date=3 January 2014|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=7 July 2009|author=Alex Sorin|agency=AP}} The Israel-Lebanon war in 2006 further damaged relations since Syria overtly supported Hezbollah, which had been blamed for starting the war.{{cite news|author=Phil Sands|title=New chapter for Syria–Saudi relations|newspaper=The National|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/new-chapter-for-syria-saudi-relations|access-date=11 August 2013

|date=10 July 2009}}

Relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria began to become strained in August 2008 when Saudi Arabian ambassador was called back to Riyadh and then withdrawn in protest over Syrian forces' crackdown on anti-government demonstrators.{{cite news|title=Saudi Arabia recalls ambassador to Syria|access-date=11 August 2013|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14439303|work=BBC|date=8 August 2011}} In addition, King Abdullah boycotted the Arab League's summit held in Damascus in 2008.

In a start of rapprochement between the two countries, Saudi Arabia appointed an ambassador to Syria, Abdullah Al Eifan, on 25 August 2009. Bashar al-Assad visited Riyadh in September 2009,{{cite news|title=Syrian president appoints ambassador to Saudi Arabia

|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-208739233/syrian-president-appoints-ambassador.html|access-date=13 August 2013|work=BBC Monitoring International Reports|date=30 September 2009|agency=Al-Quds Al-Arabi}} and in October, King Abdullah visited Assad in Damascus.{{cite magazine|author=Andrew Lee Butters|title=A Rapprochement Between Syria and Saudi Arabia|url-status=dead

|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1929072,00.html|magazine=Time|date=8 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011110650/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1929072,00.html|archive-date=11 October 2009|access-date=11 August 2013}} Syria appointed a new ambassador, Mahdi Dakhlallah, to Saudi Arabia the same month,{{cite news|title=Dr. Mahdi Dakhlallah is Syria's ambassador to Saudi|url=http://sns.sy/sns/?path=/news/read/5312&layout=print|access-date=13 August 2013

|work=SNS|date=1 October 2009|archive-date=11 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211114140/http://sns.sy/sns/?path=/news/read/5312&layout=print|url-status=dead}} restoring diplomatic relations. By January 2010, Assad had visited Saudi Arabia three times.{{cite magazine|author=Bassel Oudat|title=Testing the waters|magazine=Al Ahram Weekly|date=21–27 January 2010

|issue=982|url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2010/982/re2.htm}}

{{main|Saudi Arabian involvement in the Syrian Civil War}}

The Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, damaged relations between the two countries, due to Saudi Arabia sending weapons to the opposition forces, while Iran sent arms to the Syrian government and allied forces.{{cite journal|author=Michael Bröning

|title=Time to Back the Syrian National Coalition|url=http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/138509/michael-broening/time-to-back-the-syrian-national-coalition|journal=Foreign Affairs|access-date=11 August 2013|date=17 December 2012}} Saudi King Abdullah was the first Arab leader to condemn the Assad government in August 2011 "due to its method to deal with the anti-government" demonstrations."{{cite news

|author=Joshua Jacobs|title=The danger that Saudi Arabia will turn Syria into an Islamist hotbed|date=12 April 2012 |location=Washington, D.C.

|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2012/0412/The-danger-that-Saudi-Arabia-will-turn-Syria-into-an-Islamist-hotbed|access-date=12 August 2013|work=The Christian Science Monitor}}{{cite news|title=How Saudi Arabia can contain Iran – and other benefits from Syria's turmoil|date=31 August 2011|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2011/0831/How-Saudi-Arabia-can-contain-Iran-and-other-benefits-from-Syria-s-turmoil|access-date=30 August 2013|work=The Christian Science Monitor|first=Bilal Y.|last=Saab|location=Washington DC}}

As a result of these events, Saudi Arabia withdrew its delegation from the Arab League's peacekeeping mission in Syria on 22 January 2012{{cite journal|title=Chronology: January 16, 2012–April 15, 2012|journal=The Middle East Journal|date=Summer 2012|volume=66|issue=3

|doi=10.3751/66.3.2|pages=493–538|jstor=23256658}} and closed its embassy in Damascus in February expelling the Syrian ambassador.{{cite news|author=Yoe Goldman|title=Saudi Arabia, Italy and Holland close embassies in Syria|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/saudi-arabi-italy-and-holland-close-embassies-in-syria/|access-date=11 August 2013|newspaper=The Times of Israel|date=15 March 2013}}{{cite news|title=Saudi Arabia shuts embassy in Syria, withdraws staff as deaths mount|work=Al Arabiya|access-date=12 August 2013|date=14 March 2012|agency=AFP|url=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/14/200762.html}}

Relations between both countries deteriorated further following the start of the Syrian Civil War and Saudi Arabia's numerous calls for Assad to be ousted from power. Since the summer of 2013, Saudi Arabia has emerged as the main group to finance and arm the rebels further distancing itself from the Syrian government.{{cite web|author=Mariam Karouny|title=Saudi edges Qatar to control Syrian rebel support| website=Reuters| date=31 May 2013|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-saudi-insight-idUSBRE94U0ZV20130531|access-date=10 May 2023}}

In 2013 Najdat Anzour, a famous Syrian director, produced a film, King of the Sands, which presents very negative views about House of Saud and the founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz.{{cite news|author1=Albert Aji|author2=Bassem Mroue|title=Film that depicts founder of Saudi monarchy as bloodthirsty womanizer opens in Syria|url=https://www.citynews1130.com/2013/12/12/film-that-depicts-founder-of-saudi-monarchy-as-bloodthirsty-womanizer-opens-in-syria/|access-date=17 November 2020|work=City News|agency=Associated Press|date=12 December 2013|location=Damascus}} Although Saudi authorities demanded the ban of the movie, it was released in London on 11 September 2013. Anzour stated that the date was a reference to the Saudis' support for terrorism. The movie that was also shown at the Damascus Opera House in December 2013 further worsened the ties between two countries.

In August 2017, the Saudi foreign minister, Adel Jubeir, informed the Syrian opposition at a summit in Riyadh that Saudi Arabia was disengaging with them.{{cite news|author=Martin Chulov|work=The Guardian|date=31 August 2017

|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/31/victory-for-assad-looks-increasingly-likely-as-world-loses-interest-in-syria|title=Victory for Assad looks increasingly likely as world loses interest in Syria}}

In March 2018, Mohammad bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, said in an interview that "Bashar al-Assad is staying, but I believe that Bashar's interests is not to let the Iranians do whatever they want to do." This was interpreted as a break from the previous Saudi insistence that Assad leave office. However, he also stated his opposition to withdrawal of U.S. Special Operations forces from eastern Syria, which is under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) rather than the Assad government.{{cite magazine|magazine=Time

|author=W. J. Hennigan|date=18 March 2018|title=Saudi Crown Prince Says U.S. Troops Should Stay in Syria|url=https://time.com/5222746/saudi-crown-prince-donald-trump-syria/}} A few weeks later, Jubair indicated the country was open towards deploying its own troops in eastern Syria.{{cite news|work=Rudaw|title=Saudis consider sending troops to Syria, amid US calls for more Arab action|date=18 April 2018

|url=http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/180420181}}

Saudi Arabia has provided support for the SDF, and has met in May 2018 with SDF officials to expand military ties.{{cite news|date=30 May 2018|work=Daily Sabah|title=Saudi Arabia in talks with YPG to form new force|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2018/05/30/saudi-arabia-in-talks-with-ypg-to-form-new-force}}{{cite news|work=The Wall Street Journal|title=U.S. Seeks Arab Force and Funding for Syria|date=16 April 2018|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-seeks-arab-force-and-funding-for-syria-1523927888|quote=Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. helped pay the stipends for the Syrian fighters the U.S. is supporting}} On 26 August 2018, Lebanese MP Nawwaf Moussawi claimed that Assad rejected an offer by Prince Mohammad of Saudi Arabia to provide reconstruction aid in exchange for Syria cutting its ties with Iran and Hezbollah.{{cite news|work=Tehran Times|date=26 August 2018|title=MBS urged Assad to cut ties with Iran, Hezbollah: Lebanese MP|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/426818/MBS-urged-Assad-to-cut-ties-with-Iran-Hezbollah-Lebanese-MP}}

On 29 August 2018, Jubeir stated at a joint press conference with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov that Saudi Arabia would work with Russia in bringing about a political solution to the Syrian Civil War.{{Cite news|work=Arab News|title=Al-Jubeir: Saudi Arabia to engage with Russia to support Syria political solution|date=29 August 2018|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1363741/middle-east}} His remarks were welcomed by Syrian foreign minister Walid Muallem, who praised "the new language used to determine Saudi Arabia’s position".{{cite news|date=2 September 2018|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkey-should-understand-idlib-belongs-to-syria-muallem/|work=Al Masdar News|title=Turkey should understand Idlib belongs to Syria — Muallem|access-date=11 October 2018|archive-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011214510/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkey-should-understand-idlib-belongs-to-syria-muallem/|url-status=dead}} In November 2018, it was reported that Saudi Arabia and Syria were negotiating a political reconciliation, with the United Arab Emirates as an intermediary. The talks included potential future cooperation against the Muslim Brotherhood in the region.{{Cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syria-and-saudi-arabia-to-potentially-reconcile-after-uae-reopens-damascus-embassy/|title=Syria and Saudi Arabia to potentially reconcile after UAE reopens Damascus embassy|author=Leith Aboufadel|work=Al Masdar News|date=7 November 2018|access-date=19 November 2018|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430095731/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syria-and-saudi-arabia-to-potentially-reconcile-after-uae-reopens-damascus-embassy/|url-status=dead}}

In January 2019, the Saudi foreign ministry denied a report that it would be immediately reopening its embassy in Damascus, following decisions by the UAE and Bahrain to reopen respective embassies there.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-saudi-idUSKCN1P81RP|title=Saudi foreign ministry denies reopening Damascus embassy: state TV|date=14 January 2019|work=Reuters}} In February 2019, it was reported that Russia was launching a focused lobbying effort on Saudi Arabia and three other Arab countries to support the readmission of Syria to the Arab League, and that Saudi Arabia was seeking assurances that Russia would reduce Iranian political influence in Syria as a prerequisite for doing so.{{Cite web|work=Voice of America|date=8 February 2019|url=https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/russia-lobbies-syria-rejoin-arab-league|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710194334/https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/russia-lobbies-syria-rejoin-arab-league|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 July 2019|title=Russia Lobbies for Syria to Rejoin Arab League|author=Jamie Dettmer|location=London}}

Since February 2019, Syrian state media ceased criticism of Saudi Arabia, focusing instead on Qatar and Turkey as threats, while Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud avoided criticising Syria in his speeches since his appointment in October 2019.{{Cite web

|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/with-eye-on-turkey-arabs-look-to-mend-ties-with-al-assad-1.68580376|title=With eye on Turkey, Arabs look to mend ties with Al Assad|work=Gulf News|date=22 December 2019 }}

In May 2021, the Syrian Minister of Tourism Mohammad Rami Radwan Martini visited Riyadh on invitation from the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and the World Tourism Organization.{{cite news|work=Middle East Monitor|title=Syria delegation visits Saudi Arabia for first time since 2011|date=27 May 2021|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210527-syria-delegation-visits-saudi-arabia-for-first-time-since-2011/}} In the same month Saudi intelligence chief Khalid bin Ali Al Humaidan visited Damascus and met with his Syrian counterpart Ali Mamlouk, the first such meeting since the outbreak of the civil war.{{cite news|work=The Guardian|date=4 May 2021|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/04/meeting-between-saudi-and-syrian-intelligence-chiefs-hints-at-detente|title=Meeting between Saudi and Syrian intelligence chiefs hints at detente}} They later met a second time in November of that year in Cairo during the Arab Intelligence Forum.{{Cite news|work=Al-Monitor|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/11/saudi-syrian-intelligence-chiefs-meet-cairo|title=Saudi, Syrian intelligence chiefs meet in Cairo|date=23 November 2021}} In June 2021, an Al Jazeera report quoted Syrian opposition figures as stating that senior Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, were "keen to reengage with Assad" and had started rapprochement talks.{{Cite news|work=Al Jazeera|title='Times have changed': Saudi Arabia–Syria in rapprochement talks|date=8 June 2021|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/8/times-have-changed-saudi-syria-in-rapprochement-talks}}

In December 2021, the Saudi Ambassador to the United Nations urged the UN not to believe Syrian claims that the war was over and condemned the Syrian government's association with Hezbollah and Shia militias. Subsequently, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Bashar Jaafari named Saudi Arabia, alongside Qatar, as a country obstructing a Syrian return to the Arab League.{{cite news|work=Middle East Monitor|date=23 December 2021|title=Official accuses Qatar, Saudi of obstructing Syria's return to Arab League|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211223-official-accuses-qatar-saudi-of-obstructing-syrias-return-to-arab-league/}} In September 2022, Daily Sabah reported Saudi Arabia had set conditions for the return of Syria to the Arab League, including distancing itself from Iran and Hezbollah.{{cite news|work=Daily Sabah

|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/world/mid-east/syria-chooses-to-remain-out-of-arab-league-amid-mixed-reactions|title=Syria chooses to remain out of Arab League amid mixed reactions|date=10 September 2022|access-date=20 January 2023}}

In January 2023, Syria resumed imports from Saudi Arabia.{{cite news|access-date=20 January 2023|work=Xinhua|date=16 January 2023| url=http://english.news.cn/20230116/e14d4bebf8144e33a28109210b4713de/c.html|title=Syria to resume imports from Saudi Arabia}} In March 2023, Saudi Arabia began talks to bring Syria back into the Arab League, and provided economic support after the earthquake on 6 February.{{cite web|title=Saudi Arabia: Talks underway on Syria's return to Arab League|date=8 March 2023|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230308-saudi-arabia-talks-underway-on-syrias-return-to-arab-league/|publisher=Middle East Monitor|access-date=10 March 2023}} On 23 March 2023, Saudi Arabia and Syria began discussing restoration of diplomatic relations.{{Cite web|date=23 March 2023|title=Saudi Arabia, Syria discuss restoring diplomatic relations|access-date=23 March 2023|website=ABC News

|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/saudi-arabia-syria-discuss-restoring-diplomatic-relations-98085738}}

On 13 April 2023, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad arrived in Jeddah to meet Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. After frayed relations during the Syrian civil war, both nations now seek "a political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves the unity, security and stability of Syria,” according to the Saudi foreign ministry.{{cite web|title=Syrian FM makes first visit to Saudi Arabia since 2011|website=Al Jazeera|date=12 April 2023|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/12/syrian-fm-makes-first-visit-to-saudi-arabia-since-2011|access-date=13 April 2023}} This was the first visit to Saudi Arabia by a Syrian foreign minister since 2011.{{Cite news |last=רויטרס |date=2023-04-13 |title=סעודיה וסוריה מפשירות את היחסים ביניהן, התחממות גם בין קטאר ובחריין |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/h1xtpo4g3 |access-date=2024-09-14 |work=Ynet |language=he}} On 18 April, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan met President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, to be the first Saudi official to visit the country since the emergence of the civil war in 2011.{{cite web|title=Saudi foreign minister meets Syria's Assad in Damascus|website=Al Jazeera

|date=18 April 2023 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/18/saudi-foreign-minister-meets-syrias-assad-in-damascus}}

On 9 May 2023, Saudi Arabia decided to resume work of its diplomatic mission in Syria, which had been suspended since November 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2300591/saudi-arabia |title=Saudi Arabia says work at diplomatic mission in Syria to resume|work=Arab News|date=9 May 2023}} On the same day, Syria has decided to resume the work of its diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia.{{Cite news|url=https://www.digitaljournal.com/world/saudi-arabia-syria-agree-to-restore-diplomatic-ties/article|date=9 May 2023|access-date=10 May 2023|publisher=Digital Journal|title=Saudi Arabia, Syria agree to restore diplomatic ties}} On 10 May 2023, Syrian state media reported that Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz had invited Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the 2023 Arab League summit in Jeddah on 19 May.{{Cite news|date=10 May 2023|title=Saudi King invites Syria's Assad to attend Arab League summit – Syrian state media |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudi-king-invites-syrias-assad-attend-arab-league-summit-syrian-state-media-2023-05-10/|access-date=13 May 2023}} On the sidelines of the summit President Bashar al-Assad met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and they discussed improving bilateral relations and developments in the Arab arena.{{Cite news|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2023/05/19/Saudi-Arabia-s-Crown-Prince-meets-Syria-s-al-Assad-in-Jeddah|title=Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince meets Syria's al-Assad in Jeddah|publisher=Al Arabiya|date=19 May 2023|access-date=23 May 2023}}

As of March 2024, the Saudi Embassy in Damascus was not yet opened, after previously announcing intention to reopen in mid-February.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/syria/2024/01/22/saudi-arabia-to-resume-embassy-activities-in-damascus-syrian-source-says/

|title=Saudi Arabia to resume embassy activities in Damascus, Syrian source says|first=The|last=National|date=22 January 2024|website=The National}}{{Cite web|url=https://sabq.org/saudia/zq8kb9sba3|title=فبراير المقبل.. يُتوقع اعادة افتتاح السفارة السعودية في سوريا بعد انقطاع 13 عاماً|date=23 January 2024|website=sabq.org|language=ar}} In May 2024, Saudi Arabia appointed its first Ambassador to Syria since 2012.{{cite web |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/saudi-arabia-appoints-first-ambassador-to-syria-since-2012/7627720.html |title=Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012 |publisher=VOA News |date=26 May 2024 }} Later that year, on 10 September, Saudi Arabia officially opened its embassy in Damascus, completing the normalization with Syria.{{cite web |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240910-saudi-arabia-reopens-embassy-in-syria-completing-reconciliation-with-assad-regime/ |title=Saudi Arabia reopens embassy in Syria, completing reconciliation with Assad regime |publisher=Middle East Monitor |date=10 September 2024 }}

After the fall of the Assad regime, Syria's new de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia's support for "Syria's Future", signaling the potential for strong ties between the two nations.{{cite web |url=https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/648217/SAUDI-ARABIA/Ahmed-Al-Sharaa-highlights-Saudi-Arabias-supportive-role-in-rebuilding-efforts |title=Ahmed Al-Sharaa highlights Saudi Arabia's supportive role in rebuilding efforts |publisher=Saudi Gazette |date=29 December 2024 }} On the other hand, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the fall of Assad, expressing its "satisfaction with the positive steps" in Syria.{{Cite news |last=Nierenberg |first=Amelia |date=8 December 2024 |title=Governments around the globe expressed cautious optimism over the future of Syria. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/world/middleeast/syria-global-reactions-world-leaders.html |access-date=8 December 2024 |work=The New York Times}} Meanwhile, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center delivered 350 tonnes of aid, bringing Saudi Arabia's total historic assistance to Syria to over 7 billion dollars.{{cite web |url=https://www.alarabiya.net/arab-and-world/gulf/2025/01/01/السعودية-تطلق-جسراً-جوياً-اغاثياً-الى-سوريا-0 |title=السعودية تطلق جسراً جوياً إغاثياً إلى سوريا |publisher=Al Arabiya |language=ar |date=1 January 2025 }} The foreign minister of the Syrian transitional government, Asaad Hassan al-Shaybani, made his first official visit abroad in that role to Saudi Arabia on 1 January 2025.{{cite web |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2025/01/02/syrian-foreign-minister-arrives-in-saudi-arabia-with-delegation- |title=Syrian foreign minister arrives in Saudi Arabia with delegation |publisher=Al Arabiya |date=2 January 2025 }}

Meetings on Syria were hosted by Riyadh on 12–13 January 2025 to discuss the future of various issues in Syria post-Assad. The meetings were attended by foreign ministers of GCC countries, and of Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and deputy foreign ministers of the United States and Italy, as well as officials from the Arab League, United Nations, and European Union.{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/amp/news/2025/1/12/السعودية-تستضيف-قمة-حول-سوريا |title=بدء اجتماع بالرياض لدعم الاستقرار في سوريا |date=12 January 2025 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=12 January 2025}} Later that month, on January 24, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan visited Damascus, following discussions with the U.S. and Europe about lifting sanctions on Syria.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/saudi-arabia-talks-with-europe-us-lift-syrian-sanctions-minister-says-2025-01-24/ |title=Saudi Arabia in talks with Europe and US to lift Syrian sanctions, minister says |publisher=Reuters |date=24 January 2025 }} During his visit, he conveyed Saudi Arabia's support for Syria's recovery and stability, signaling a shift toward normalizing relations.{{cite web |url=https://english.enabbaladi.net/archives/2025/01/saudi-foreign-minister-in-damascus-for-first-time-since-assads-fall/ |title=Saudi foreign minister in Damascus for first time since Assad's fall |publisher=Enab Baladi |date=24 January 2025 }} On 2 February, Syrian President al-Sharaa and foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani visited Saudi Arabia. It was his first official trip abroad since the fall of the Assad regime. During the visit, he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.{{Cite news |date=2 February 2025 |title=Syria's New Interim President Travels to Saudi Arabia for First Foreign Visit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/02/world/middleeast/syria-saudi-arabia-interim-president-visit.html |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-02 |title=Syria's interim president visits Saudi Arabia on first trip abroad |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/02/syrias-interim-president-visits-saudi-arabia-on-first-trip-abroad-00201964 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}

In April 2025, Saudi Arabia increased its engagement with Syria by planning to pay off Syria's $15 million debt to the World Bank, potentially allowing Syria to receive grants for reconstruction efforts under its new government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who seized power in December 2024. The international community is cautiously observing al-Sharaa's government, particularly regarding its commitment to protecting religious minorities, though this move by Saudi Arabia signals a new level of diplomatic and economic engagement with the Syrian government after years of strained relations. Additionally, other Gulf Arab states have announced plans to support Syria as well.{{Cite web |last=commsmanager |date=2025-04-15 |title=Saudi Arabia Increases Engagement with Syria |url=https://www.persecution.org/2025/04/15/saudi-arabia-increases-engagement-with-syria/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=International Christian Concern |language=en-US}}

One of the early economic relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria was in 1950 when a trade agreement was signed and Saudi Arabia provided Syria with financial support. It followed other trade agreements, but all of them were cancelled by King Faisal on 3 May 1966 due to hostile attitude of the Neo-Ba'ath government in Syria towards Saudi Arabia. On 4 April 1972, the two countries signed another trade and economic agreement.{{cite news|title=On President Assad's today visit to Saudi Arabia|work=Arabic News

|url=http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/001017/2000101718.html|access-date=11 August 2013|date=17 October 2000}}{{cite web|title=International Agreements|url=http://www.sagia.gov.sa/en/Investment-climate/Some-Things-You-Need-To-Know-/International-agreements/

|work=SAGIA|access-date=27 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140127153628/http://www.sagia.gov.sa/en/Investment-climate/Some-Things-You-Need-To-Know-/International-agreements/|archive-date=27 January 2014|df=dmy-all}} It allowed free imports and exports of local products between two countries without customs fees for agricultural products, livestock and natural resources. Following the Syrian support for the coalition in the war against the invasion of Kuwait, Syria was provided with nearly $2.2-2.6 billion in aid by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.{{cite journal|author=Steven Plaut|title=The Collapsing Syrian Economy|journal=The Middle East Quarterly|date=September 1999|volume=VI|issue=3|url=http://www.meforum.org/476/the-collapsing-syrian-economy|author-link=Steven Plaut}} In February 1991, a joint committee was formed by Saudi Arabia and Syria, and it fostered economic cooperation between the countries.{{cite journal|title=Syrian Saudi agreement|journal=Ain al-Yaqeen|date=24 June 1998|url=http://www.ainalyaqeen.com/issues/19980624/feat6en.htm}}

In 1997, Syrian exports to Saudi Arabia included mostly livestock, fruits, vegetables, textiles and furniture of which overall cost was over 602 million Riyals.{{cite news|title=Syrian–Saudi relations|url=http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/000925/2000092541.html

|access-date=11 August 2013|newspaper=Arabic News|date=25 September 2000}} Major items exported by Saudi Arabia to Syria were crude oil and its by products, plant oil and dates, and the 1997 cost of them was nearly 262 million Riyals. In addition, Saudi Arabia had private investments in Syria with a cost of US$700 million in the same year. The number of joint projects was around 50.

Syria and Saudi Arabia signed an accord on 20 February 2001 to set up a free trade area.{{cite news|title=Syria, Saudi Arabia sign free trade accord|url=http://www.albawaba.com/business/syria-saudi-arabia-sign-free-trade-accord|access-date=12 August 2013|work=Al Bawaba|date=21 February 2001}} In December 2001, the two countries and Jordan signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the construction of a railway link to be used by all three for commercial purposes.{{cite book|title=Survey of Economic and Social Developments in the ESCWA Region, 2001-2002|url=https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/492989?ln=en|year=2003|location=New York|publisher=United Nations Publications|isbn=978-92-1-128250-4|page=50}} Later both countries joined the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA).{{cite news|author=Phil Sands|newspaper=The National|title=Syria and Saudi end tariff war

|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/syria-and-saudi-end-tariff-war|access-date=13 August 2013|date=3 November 2009}}

In parallel to tense diplomatic relations in 2008, both countries began to put taxes on each other's products, but, taxes were ended in 2009. Unofficial figure for the 2007 annual Saudi investment in Syria was $750m and it increased to $1 billion in 2009. On 6 and 7 March 2010 Saudi-Syrian Business Forum and the 11th Session of the Syrian-Saudi Joint Committee were held in Damascus.{{cite news|title=Syrian–Saudi Joint Committee and Business Forum concludes with signing of 5 agreements|work=SEBC|date=9 March 2010|agency=SANA

|url=http://sebcsyria.com/web2008/art.php?art_id=1767|accessdate=3 January 2014}} Five cooperation agreements were signed during the events.

By 2021, Saudi Arabia's share of Syrian exports was 30.9%, making it Syria's main export partner.{{cite web|title=Foreign trade partners of Syria|url=https://oec.world/en/visualize/tree_map/hs92/import/syr/show/all/2021/|publisher=The Observatory of Economic Complexity |access-date=19 July 2022}} In 2021, Saudi Arabia became the sixth largest import partner of Syria with a share of almost 2%.

• Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia
• Foreign relations of Syria
• Syrians in Saudi Arabia

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{{Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia}}

{{Foreign relations of Syria}}

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Syria

Category:Bilateral relations of Syria