From Hassan Al-Mustafa
In February 2023, when a devastating earthquake struck parts of Turkiye and Syria, the Saudi aid agency KSrelief launched a public campaign in the Kingdom to assist those affected. A royal directive facilitated the urgent establishment of an air bridge carrying food and medical supplies. At that time, Bashar Assad was the president of Syria and, despite the complex issues in the relationship between Riyadh and Damascus, this did not hinder the Kingdom from providing essential aid, as it distinguishes between the political and humanitarian levels.
On Dec. 8 last year, Assad left Syria and opposition factions entered the Syrian capital, Damascus. A new de facto government was established, characterized by different policies and led by figures with a hard-line Islamist background. However, this development did not deter the Saudi government from assisting the Syrian people. Seven relief aircraft and about 60 trucks subsequently arrived in Syria from Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Samer Al-Jutaily, spokesperson for KSrelief, told Asharq Al-Awsat that this aid “has no predetermined limit” and will continue “until its objectives are achieved on the ground, ensuring humanitarian stability, in accordance with the directives of the Saudi leadership, to alleviate the suffering of those affected.”
These humanitarian efforts are regarded as a cornerstone of Saudi-Syrian relations and represent a continuation of a policy initiated in 2011, following the onset of popular movements in Syria. The Kingdom received approximately 3 million Syrians, treating them as “residents” rather than “refugees” and providing them with essential life necessities, including free education and healthcare, while allowing them to engage in employment and facilitating their integration into society. Additionally, the total value of humanitarian aid extended to the Syrian people has exceeded $854 million.
A source stated that the assistance provided by Riyadh “does not discriminate among beneficiaries, regardless of their religious, ethnic or cultural affiliations.” The source added that, “since the first day of the events that started in Syria in 2011, Saudi Arabia has adhered to steadfast principles, emphasizing the importance of ensuring Syria’s security and territorial integrity, free from foreign interventions and external influences.” This commitment stems from the belief that “Syria belongs to the Syrians, who are best suited to manage their affairs and determine their destiny through an internal dialogue that leads to a resolution of the crisis in all its dimensions.”
Observers of Saudi Arabia’s policy toward Syria note that it seeks to achieve several objectives, the most significant of which are: establishing security and stability; the unity of Syrian territory and rejecting division or external aggression against it; providing the basics of decent living for citizens and paving the way for the reconstruction process; preserving state institutions and preventing any collapse; forming a transitional national government that represents the various spectrums of the Syrian people; preventing Syria from becoming a platform for extremist groups to use for training or preparing terrorist attacks targeting neighboring countries; and establishing diplomatic relations based on the principle of good neighborliness and constructive cooperation, contributing to the positive integration of Syria into its Arab surroundings, without engaging in the conflict of regional axes.
Accordingly, a Saudi delegation visited Damascus last month to meet with the leader of the new Syrian administration, Ahmad Al-Sharaa. This was followed by a historic visit to Riyadh on Jan. 2 by a high-level Syrian delegation, including new Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and intelligence chief Anas Khattab. During their visit, the Syrian delegation met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
Prince Khalid described the meeting as “productive.” The “latest developments in Syria were discussed, along with ways to support the transitional political process that fulfills the aspirations of the Syrian people and ensures the security, stability and territorial integrity of Syria.” Prince Khalid emphasized that “the time has come for Syria to stabilize, rise and benefit from its available resources.”
Prince Faisal engaged in discussions with the Syrian delegation regarding methods to “preserve the institutions of the Syrian state and its resources, and to restore its rightful position and status within the Arab and Islamic worlds.” –FP
