Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday for an official visit to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking his fifth trip to the kingdom since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa touched down in the Saudi capital accompanied by Foreign and Expatriates Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz greeted the Syrian delegation at King Khalid International Airport, alongside a group of local officials.
Neither Damascus nor Riyadh released an immediate detailed agenda for the talks. However, the diplomatic mission unfolds against a backdrop of fast-moving regional developments, including Saudi Arabia’s direct confrontation with the Houthis, alongside ongoing political, economic, and security coordination between Syria and the kingdom.
Saudi Officials Welcome Syrian Delegation at Airport
The welcoming party at King Khalid International Airport reflected high-level diplomatic protocol. Alongside Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the greeting committee included Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Royal Court Advisor Khaled bin Farid Hadrawi, and Saudi Ambassador to Syria Ghazi bin Rafeh Al-Anzi.
The Syrian side was represented at the tarmac by Chargé d’Affaires and Head of the Syrian Embassy in the kingdom, Minister Plenipotentiary Mohsen Mahbash, alongside Acting Riyadh Police Director Major General Mansour bin Nasser Al-Otaibi and Chief of Royal Protocols Fahd Al-Suhail. Official state media agency SANA confirmed that al-Sharaa traveled alongside Foreign Minister al-Shibani specifically to hold formal discussions with the Saudi Crown Prince.
Diplomatic History Since December 2024
Tuesday’s journey marks the fifth time al-Sharaa has visited Saudi Arabia since the downfall of the Assad regime. The kingdom served as his first foreign destination after assuming the Syrian presidency, beginning with a visit on Feb. 2, 2025, where he met Mohammed bin Salman before performing Umrah rituals.
- May 14, 2025: Al-Sharaa returned to Riyadh for a gathering that included the Saudi Crown Prince and U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan focused on Syrian stability and territorial integrity.
- October 28, 2025: The Syrian leader traveled to the kingdom for his third visit to participate in the ninth edition of the
Future Investment Initiative
conference in Riyadh. - April 21, 2026: Al-Sharaa headed to Jeddah during a broader Gulf tour, holding talks with the Crown Prince regarding bilateral economic cooperation and regional developments.
Regional Rapprochement and Regional Security
The rapid diplomatic warming between Damascus and Riyadh has positioned the kingdom as a backer of Syria’s reintegration into regional and international diplomacy. Saudi Arabia has actively driven political and economic initiatives aimed at supporting stabilization and reconstruction efforts inside Syria.
Tuesday's discussions show that both capitals are continuing to align policies on shared regional challenges, even as external security pressures mount across the wider Middle East.