Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government, Saudi Arabia is supporting Syria’s interim administration led by Mohammad al-Jolani in a bid to lift sanctions and strengthen its regional influence. This move is part of a broader rivalry with Turkey and the UAE, aiming at sidelining the Resistance Axis, accessing Mediterranean markets, and securing a key role in the India–Middle East–Europe trade corridor.
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, arrived in Saudi Arabia on his first foreign trip after coming to power and met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This visit could indicate diplomatic shifts in the region and efforts to gain international legitimacy. Analysts believe that while Jolani seeks financial resources and aims to strengthen his position in regional dynamics, Saudi Arabia is cautiously engaging with Syria’s new government.
