Syria, Saudi Arabia Forge Deeper Strategic Ties

(MENAFN) Syrian and Saudi officials convened separately on Sunday in Damascus and Riyadh, signaling a deepening partnership focused on humanitarian aid, development, and agricultural cooperation.

In Damascus, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani received a Saudi delegation headed by Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Rabeeah, Royal Court adviser and leader of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. The meeting, attended by Syria’s Emergency Management Minister Raed al-Saleh, reviewed numerous relief and development projects spanning health, education, housing, and food security.

Earlier, the Saudi team joined Syrian officials to launch new initiatives supported by the King Salman Center in various regions of Syria, according to the Syrian Foreign Ministry.

Concurrently in Riyadh, Syrian Agriculture Minister Amjad Badr met with his Saudi counterpart, Abdulrahman al-Fadli, to explore enhanced collaboration in farming, water resource management, and food production. Both ministers agreed to establish a joint working group to outline future Saudi investments in Syria’s agricultural sector.

Badr highlighted the potential in rehabilitating farmland, advancing modern irrigation techniques, and developing poultry and livestock sectors, while al-Fadli pointed to Syria’s competitive advantage in crops like olives and dates.

These talks follow the landmark Syrian-Saudi investment forum held less than two months ago in Damascus, which saw the signing of 44 agreements valued at $6 billion—marking a major step in the restoration of bilateral ties.

Since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Syria’s transitional government has pursued sweeping political and economic reforms, aimed at fostering social unity and expanding cooperation with regional and international partners.

Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia last December, ending the Baath Party’s decades-long regime. In January, President Ahmad al-Sharaa formed the new transitional administration.

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