Qatari emir sheikh tamim to visit syria: A historic first since bashar al-assad’s overthrow
In a significant development in Middle Eastern geopolitics, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is set to visit the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Thursday, marking the first visit by an Arab leader to the city since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad. This historic visit signals a shift in regional relations, with Qatar’s increasing engagement with Syria following the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024.
Sources confirmed to Al Jazeera that the Syrian presidency has confirmed that Ahmed al-Sharaa, the country’s newly appointed transitional leader, will meet Sheikh Tamim during his visit. The visit is expected to strengthen ties between the two countries, which have seen a notable thaw since the regime’s collapse. The meeting will also mark a significant political moment as it follows a series of diplomatic exchanges between the two nations.
The relationship between Syria and Qatar had been strained for years due to Qatar’s active support for the opposition during the Syrian civil war. However, with the fall of the Assad regime, there has been a shift towards collaboration. In a clear sign of this rapprochement, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani visited Damascus on January 16, 2025, for talks with al-Sharaa. In addition, Qatar took another important step in re-establishing diplomatic ties by reopening its embassy in Damascus in December 2024, more than 13 years after it closed its doors in 2011 in response to the Syrian uprising. This is further evidence of Qatar’s strategic shift in its foreign policy towards Syria.
Qatar’s engagement with Syria has been primarily humanitarian in nature. Since the fall of Assad, Qatar has continued to provide urgent humanitarian aid to the Syrian capital and its surrounding areas, helping to address the pressing needs of the Syrian people who have endured years of conflict. Doha’s diplomatic outreach has been focused on facilitating peace, stability, and reconstruction in the war-torn country, emphasising its commitment to assisting in Syria’s recovery process.
On the political front, Syria has entered a new phase following the ousting of Assad, who had ruled the country for over five decades. The fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024, came after a rapid and sweeping advance by Syrian opposition factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led to the collapse of the ruling Baath Party after 61 years in power. As a result, al-Sharaa, a key opposition figure, was named Syria’s transitional president earlier this week. He has been tasked with leading the country through a transitional period that includes the formation of a temporary legislative council, which will operate until a new constitution is adopted.
A key element of the transitional period involves the dissolution of armed factions, which will be absorbed into state institutions. This move is seen as a crucial step in the reconciliation process and the re-establishment of state authority. In response to these developments, Qatar has expressed its support for the transitional steps, deeming them essential for the protection of Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Qatar’s efforts to mediate peace and support Syria’s transition reflect the broader geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East. The shift in relations between Syria and Qatar, which had previously been adversaries in the Syrian conflict, underscores the evolving regional landscape, where alliances are being recalibrated in the wake of changing power dynamics.
As Emir Sheikh Tamim’s visit to Damascus looms, it is clear that Qatar’s role in Syria is becoming increasingly influential. The visit will likely have lasting implications for the future of Syrian diplomacy, regional alliances, and the broader Middle Eastern geopolitical framework. The coming days will reveal how the two countries build on this new chapter in their relationship, especially as Syria embarks on its journey of political and social reconstruction.
