DAMASCUS, April 7:
Syria’s new President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, will make his first official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the coming days, followed by a scheduled trip to Turkey next week, the Syrian Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday, according to Reuters. The visits are part of Sharaa’s broader diplomatic campaign to strengthen ties with regional allies and rebuild Syria’s foreign relations after years of international isolation.
The upcoming UAE visit marks Sharaa’s second official trip to the Gulf region since assuming office in January, following his visit to Saudi Arabia in February. That same month, Sharaa also made an earlier trip to Turkey, signaling a strategic effort to engage with Arab and regional powers.
Sharaa took office after the sudden ousting of longtime President Bashar al-Assad in December during a surprise offensive by the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), of which Sharaa is a senior figure. Assad’s downfall marked a turning point in Syria’s prolonged civil war, which has devastated the country’s infrastructure and economy for nearly 14 years.
“We are working to strengthen Syria’s relationships with the region and beyond,” a senior official close to President Sharaa told a news agency, highlighting the new leadership’s ambitions to reset Syria’s diplomatic posture.
In addition to rebuilding foreign ties, the Syrian government is making renewed appeals for the lifting of international sanctions, many of which were imposed during Assad’s rule. “Syria badly needs the sanctions to be lifted so we can begin to rebuild our economy,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Syria’s economy has suffered immense damage since the war began in 2011. Western nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union member states, imposed extensive sanctions targeting Syrian individuals, businesses, and sectors such as banking, energy, and trade in a bid to isolate Assad’s regime and pressure political change.
Sharaa’s outreach to Gulf states and neighboring Turkey indicates a strategic pivot, as Syria seeks both political legitimacy and economic support. Analysts say the success of these diplomatic missions could play a crucial role in shaping the post-Assad era, especially if they pave the way for broader international engagement and economic recovery.
The visits come amid cautious optimism in Damascus, as the Sharaa administration continues its efforts to reestablish Syria’s place in the regional and global community.
Keep reading questiqa world Get more News Headlines On Our Social Platforms And Do Follow.
About The Author
