Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday that it will join forces with Qatar to provide financial support to Syria’s state employees, signaling a renewed commitment to aid the war-torn country’s reconstruction efforts.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud made the announcement during a press conference in Damascus alongside his Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. While the exact amount of funding was not disclosed, the move follows Qatar’s recent efforts to bankroll Syria’s public sector.
This development comes weeks after the United States, under President Donald Trump, unexpectedly lifted economic sanctions on Syria’s Islamist-led government, which ousted former leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Trump stated that the decision was heavily influenced by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, who has been a leading advocate for easing restrictions on Syria.
The European Union has also lifted its economic sanctions on Syria in recent months, further opening the door for international aid and investment.
Prince Faisal emphasized Saudi Arabia’s role in supporting Syria’s economic recovery and pledged continued backing on the road to reconstruction. He is accompanied by a high-level economic delegation aiming to strengthen cooperation in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.
The announcement also signals a shift in regional dynamics as Syria’s new leadership, headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, seeks to rebuild ties with Arab and Western nations following Assad’s ouster.
In a related development, Sharaa is scheduled to visit Kuwait on Sunday, responding to an invitation by Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah. The visit is expected to focus on expanding political and economic cooperation between the two countries.