Qatar's Emir visits Damascus, meets Islamist Syria's president

Qatars Emir visits Damascus, meets Islamist Syrias interim president — Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani shakes hands with Islamist Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, Damascus, Syria, January 30, 2025. Photo: SANA/via iKurd.net

DAMASCUS,— Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani made a historic visit to Syria on Thursday, marking the first time a head of state has visited the Syrian capital since President Bashar al-Assad’s regime was toppled in December 2024.

Sheikh Tamim was welcomed at Damascus International Airport by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who was declared the transitional president of Syria following the defeat of Assad’s forces. Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, led the offensive that resulted in Assad’s ousting on Dec. 8.

The Qatari Emir’s visit comes at a critical time for Syria as the country looks to rebuild after years of civil war. According to a statement from the Qatari royal court, Sheikh Tamim emphasized the need for a government that reflects all segments of the Syrian population.

He said in his meeting with Sharaa that it was essential to create a government that is inclusive of all groups in Syria.

The visit also signified a significant diplomatic shift, as Sharaa was empowered just days earlier to form a temporary legislative council after an assembly of military leaders who fought against Assad.

Sharaa has pledged to lead a political transition, which he said could take up to four years to complete, involving a national conference, inclusive governance, and eventually elections.

Al-Sharaa’s, formerly a member of the Islamic State group, rise to power follows his leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist faction that controlled Damascus. HTS was once aligned with al-Qaeda but severed its ties to the group in 2016.

The Islamist group’s role in the Syrian conflict has been controversial, but Sharaa’s leadership of the group has helped shape the current political and military dynamics.

Qatar has long supported the Islamist opposition to Assad’s rule. The country’s involvement in the Syrian conflict, including financial support for anti-Assad rebel factions, has positioned Qatar as a key player in shaping Syria’s future. The visit underscored Qatar’s continued backing of Syria’s post-conflict recovery and reconstruction.

In a joint press conference with Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed al-Khulaifi, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani acknowledged Qatar’s “committed position” towards Syria and praised their partnership in creating a new chapter for the country. Shibani further added that the Syrian people would not forget Qatar’s role as Syria moves toward rebuilding.

The officials discussed a comprehensive framework for Syria’s post-war reconstruction, with Khulaifi emphasizing Qatar’s intention to increase aid, particularly in terms of electricity and infrastructure. In a previous visit in January, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani promised to provide Syria with an initial 200 megawatts of electricity, with plans to gradually increase the supply.

Qatar has also committed to reopening its embassy in Damascus, which had been closed for over 13 years. The embassy was shuttered in July 2011 after Qatar withdrew its ambassador in protest against Assad’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators, which eventually led to a devastating civil war.

Qatar’s political and financial backing of Islamist radical groups has made it a controversial player on the international stage. The country has faced repeated accusations of supporting Islamist militants, including Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and various extremist factions in Syria and Libya.

Qatar’s media outlet, Al Jazeera, has also faced criticism for providing a platform to Islamic clerics who have called for violence against Western and Israeli targets.

In 2017, then-U.S. President Donald Trump accused Qatar of funding terrorism at a high level, urging the country to cease its support for extremist groups.

Qatar’s support for radical Islamic groups has contributed to strained relations with some Gulf nations.

In 2017, Qatar was subjected to a blockade by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt, which accused Qatar of destabilizing the region by supporting terrorism and maintaining ties with Iran. The blockade was lifted in January 2021, though tensions in the region remain.

(With files from Reuters | Agencies)